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Post by sczarnecki on Sept 8, 2011 5:25:04 GMT -6
OK so my a/c compressor finally locked up. This left me stranded as the starter didn't have enough juice to get the car started. After thinking about it, i cut the serpentine belt off(If I was going to remove it, I was going to replace it) and viola!! Running car. So I ever get a locked up, power steering, alternator in the future I know how I can get home at least as I despise wrenching on the side of the road As much as I despise the water pump/impeller(and the $40 socket to remove it) and separate pulley/belt it requires to run....the fact is the car is in fact "drivable" any other car and the main belt would also control the water pump leaving with a towing bill. Granted the above said statement also requires the forearm strength of Popeye on spinach to steer and a consistently draining battery. Are there any other inherit risks of not running the alternator on the 98? Cutting the belt and removing it was a snap, now the hard part, how difficult is it to replace? The tension pulleys gave me the most issue in the belt removal, I can't imagine installation??  I will have to replace the a/c compressor prior to the new belt going on. |
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Post by beastboy1976 on Sept 8, 2011 7:06:09 GMT -6
Im not sure how hard on the Aurora. I had a 98 Park Avenue and that was one job that I will gladly send out to a mechanic in the future. Fortunately I have had good luck with my serpentine belt. Let me know how the install goes and how difficult it is.
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bobsblue95
Super Moderator 
Scars of pleasure, scars of pain. Atmospheric changes make you sensitive again.
Posts: 3,125
Staff Member
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Post by bobsblue95 on Sept 8, 2011 7:25:11 GMT -6
Before you put a belt on, check your tensioner and idler pulleys. If either needs replacement, replace both, and while the front (front of the engine, passenger side of engine compartment) motor mount is off, the belt is really easy to install. Otherwise it's a lot of wiggling and finagling and probably some cursing.
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Post by brody2be on Sept 17, 2011 12:36:27 GMT -6
go to the how to section under serpentine belt replacement ive been there before with my a/c motor froze up i ended up getting a belt that runs everything but the a/c for about a year until i had bought a compressor for it and it. the belt only takes less than 10 minutes to replace after taking off the inner fender well. if you need the shorter belt napa has it in stock. belt #060739
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Post by sczarnecki on Sept 20, 2011 13:41:59 GMT -6
Brody, thanks for the heads up, I was going to let the car sit(for another year, lol) untill I had the funds/time/desire to fix the a/c. Sad but the sled is deligated to sitting in the driveway for us. Good for the car since it has 150k on it and the less frequent driving the longer we will have the classic on the road. I'm defitnantly going to try the short belt as I drove the car with no a/c here in Florida for the last month anyways and now we have got a cold snap (82 degrees)  I wont need it anyways. Yes, the short belt it is, thanks again. |
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Randy T.
Administrator 
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Post by Randy T. on Sept 21, 2011 9:24:23 GMT -6
You can also get ac bypass pulleys, you have to get one for a 4.6 but it works. I was not aware that a shorter belt would work, but that would probably be easier than a bypass pulley.
If you can, take some pics of the job or at least let us know how it turns out.
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Post by ntrenn on Sept 21, 2011 9:51:38 GMT -6
Also - when your AC 'locks up', it may be the compressor, but it may just be the pulley bearing. I had a pulley bearing fail on the LX5. Not too difficult to change once you have done one. Finding the bearing can be the hardest part.
I also had the compressor fail on the 4.0 - the end plate broke an ear. Didn't lock up the compressor, but it sure made it noisy. 7,000 miles on the new compressor so far...
I saved the clutch parts off the old one in case somebody would need them - they are not sold separately for the 2G.
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Post by sczarnecki on Nov 17, 2011 9:53:31 GMT -6
I went to Napa, paid $30 for the "short" belt. went home and 1 hour later was driving my sled to the carwash. Thanks to everyone who gave me heads up and pointers. I did use the "how ot replace the serpentine belt" link and it was truely awesome.
Theres a nut on the front of the a/c compressor pulley. If I remove the bolt will the pulley come off, if so is that where the locked up bearing would be?
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Post by clutch1 on Nov 28, 2011 0:48:55 GMT -6
I had a 98 Park Avenue and that was one job that I will gladly send out to a mechanic in the future. \ This. What a crappy design. The engine mount that needs removal on that car blows! |
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Post by corsaconvertible on Mar 21, 2012 0:20:45 GMT -6
I've searched for over an hour trying to find this thread - can someone please give me the link
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Post by wireless on Mar 21, 2012 0:36:37 GMT -6
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Post by corsaconvertible on Mar 21, 2012 0:59:18 GMT -6
Thanks
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I wont need it anyways. Yes, the short belt it is, thanks again.
