Serpentine belt

Tiny
KCHURCH05
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD ESCAPE
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 121,000 MILES
I am trying to get the correct size for the belt that bypass the compressor.
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 AT 8:05 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Probably your best option would be to install a bypass pulley in place of the compressor.

I looked for a while for a shorter belt option already figured out by others- so far, it is a no go.

I can maybe aid you along.

First, Let's look over the situation, how the belt will route, Will it hit or contact something else?

All of the pulleys will turn the direction they turn now?

Good?

With the old belt on. Look at the tension-er's position, where it pivots, make a real legible mark across the two pieces with a marker. This will sort of get us back to normal tension with the new belt if the marks line back up.

Obtain the proper tools to release the tensioner's tension.

Remove the belt.

Cut the belt.

Route the belt as it needs to be now. Wind up with your "cut" in an accessable spot.

Have your buddy pull the tension-er with the tool, line up the marker marks on the tension-er (you may need to pass the marks a little for this procedure)

Where you cut the belt, overlap the ends, tight as you can get them.

Now here is the trick

Install a good suitable pair of vise grip pliers over the overlap.

Mark the belt overlap just for a reference.

Ease off on the tension-er

The tension-er marks should line up If not tension off again, vise grips off, use the "belt" reference marks and scoot the overlap a bit more. Install the vise grips, try again.

Once the marks line up on the tension-er and the belt is on right, we now have a correct size to go by. The belt is perfect minus the cut and the vise grips holding it together.

Permanently mark the belt ends overlap- once the vise grips are off you will need to put it back to the right length.

Take it to an auto parts store and see if you can size it with another belt.

This is not "perfect" rocket science, so, once you get a new belt on, check the tension-er marks again. You may need to go up or down a size to get it looking like it did at the start.

May not need to do any of this I am showing below, as you can probably tape measure the length of your cut belt.

On various belts that I have had to make a dummy to go by, Once the size was figured out, I cut the ends to where when they butted together my size was correct. I have "stapled" the ends/drilled holes near the ends ("V" belts) and wired or sewn them "butted" together. Just so they would fit into the auto parts store's belt measuring jig/ tool.

Make any sense?

The Medic
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
KCHURCH05
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Thank you. I will try this, but if the belt does not fit how hard would it be for me to replace the compressor my self?
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Thursday, February 15th, 2018 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
The compressor replacement is no big deal.

You will need some special tools (vacuum pump, set of gauges, correct oil, refrigerant) to evacuate and properly refill the refrigerant in the system. You kind of do not want to mess up your new compressor trying to cut corners.

This is from "repair guides" sort of top right on our pages. (climate control section)

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

There are a few more A/C related guides in there if you want to look at them too!

Keep us posted with your journey!

The Medic
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Thursday, February 15th, 2018 AT 3:17 PM
Tiny
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Thank you so much. I will begin tomorrow after work around 3:00 pm and will definitely let you know.
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Thursday, February 15th, 2018 AT 3:20 PM

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