04 AC Bypass?

[RangerAbuser666]

Hello Station,
My 2004 Ranger, V6 4.0, recently started making some awful sounds and smells. It was that lovely clutch smell and the sound was coming from my AC Compressor. I was hoping that a clutch replacement would do the trick, but no. Compressor is locked up tighter than Charles Manson! I currently do not have the $800+ that I was quoted to fix the system the right way so my plan was to bypass the AC and use a shorter belt. I picked up a belt at a local parts store and found it to be the same length as the one that I had. I guess specifying "no AC" does not change the length of the belt on this vehicle. The diagram under the hood did not show a different method of threading the belt with no AC so I'm thinking perhaps the tensioner needs to be moved? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

TIA,
Scott


UPDATE: I found a used compressor,with clutch, supposedly with under 100 miles on it, for $62 with shipping. They back it up for a year too! Stuff it in and have it charged and I should be good.

what a mess...

thanks

 

[Earl43P]

Why not simply disconnect the electrical connector to the clutch?

Then the Compressor can't be engaged, locked up or not.

The clutch pulley freewheels on the compressor shaft until electrical power engages the clutch.

 

[gw33gp]

I've had the bearing freeze up on the A/C pulley that allow the pulley to free wheel. There is nothing you can do but bypass or replace/remove the A/C compressor in that situation.

Scott, I am glad you found an inexpensive compressor. That is a very good deal.

 

[RangerAbuser666]

Unfortunately that won't solve my problem either Earl. Clutch is fried as well... I was able to cook it and the compressor at the same time. I guess that's what I get for leaving the AC system unchecked since I purchased the truck new.

gw, I was extremely happy to find the deal I did. I found it @ justparts.com. They had what I needed and cheeap with a warranty. I know absolutely nothing about the company other than that. I got to use PayPal which is connected to my AmEx, so if I get screwd I'm covered on $$. SOL as far as time into the project goes but we'll see how it goes.

I'll let you all know how it works out.
Thanks!
S

 

[exbass94]

You also need to replace the accumulator and the orifice tube. When these compressors seize up, they basically grind themselves up inside and spew metal shavings and crap throughout the entire system. If the old orifice tube has a lot of metal shavings and junk on it, you also need to flush out the lines, evaporator, and condenser.

Condensers are a real pain to flush out, and many times, you're best off simply replacing them with a new one.

The compressor on my Explorer seized up this summer, so I've been through all this already. I got a used compressor for $80, got new lines (old ones were leaking), new condenser, accumulator, orifice tube. I paid a shop $150 to flush the original evaporator and recharge the system when I was done. Even with my generous employee discount at Napa, the grand total of the repair was $440.

 

[v8318cid]

I agree with exbass. Definitely flush the system. I don't know which design the condenser is on these trucks, but I'm betting its the multi-pass design (as opposed to serpentine, single-pass). If so, you can't flush it completely. Only option is to replace it. If all else fails, though, some parts houses sell an A/C eliminator bracket that basically replaces the compressor with a flat bracket with a pulley of the same diameter.

 

[RangerAbuser666]

WEll, I got my old pump out last Thursday and wasn't going to get the new one until Friday so I had some time on my hands. I figured I would split open the old pump and see what had gone wrong. To my confusion, it was just fine... No broken parts, no shavings, nothing. Everything seemed to be working in perfect order and was nicely lubricated. SO, the pump itself was alright but the clutch froze up and must have welded the spindle to the pump housing I'm guessing. Since the clutch and pump I found cost less than a new clutch, I just threw in the entire thing Friday and off I went. I'll still need to get the system evaporated and charged but I think that should do it. All of the horror stories I've heard about broken parts/shavings fouling up the system should not affect me I'm hoping, since the pump didn't have any. I guess we'll find out in the spring when the warm weather gets here and I need AC again.

Thanks for the clues and info guys!