Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Belt tesioner pulley, a/c vs. non a/c

[DragsterRob]

I have a noisy a/c compressor, and I bypassed it with the non A/C belt, but my tensioner pulley is smooth, and the ribbed side of the belt rides on the smooth pulley, do the no a/c trucks have a ribbed idler pulley. I searched the threads, and had no luck fining anything specific. Will this work, or will it throw the belt? I started the engine, seems fine, and the noise went away. Obviously a bad a/c compressor.



Thanks

 

[K5IP]

My 95 has belt routing info lables on the inside of the hood. Shows both ways (AC/Non AC) perhaps that info is available on your truck too and rountig may be different on the two systems.

If the AC unit (compressor) is defective, you should have been able eliminate the noise by disconnecting the clutch wire to keep the compressor from running, (or just keep the AC off). If you had noise with the compressor turned off, but belt still connected, you have a problem with the AC clutch assembly, (bearing) not the entire compressor (good news).

Rog

 

[Matthug]

My truck did not have A/C originally, I put it in. But the tensioner DOES have ribs on the non A/C trucks. I do not think a smooth pulley will be a problem if you don't run it for too long until you get the A/C fixed. It should not throw the belt, the ribs in the alternator and fan keep it in. If you don't plan on fixing your A/C until something like next summer, I'd by a new tensioner pully for non A/C truck at your local advance auto or something.

 

[DragsterRob]

So far so good, made it to the racetrack and back today 70 miles. I think I am going to get the ribbed pulley, it never hurts to have spare parts laying around