2002 Volvo s60-Possible to reroute serp belt to bypass AC comp?

hismelaei · Post by **hismelaei** » 08 Mar 2016, 19:32

I have a 2002 volvo s60 that has snapped two serpentine belts in the past week.

The problem is the AC compressor. It keeps locking up and snapping the belt.

The repair is purported to be $700-$900, which simply doesn't make sense for a vehicle worth $1500 or less.

I have read in several places that I can reroute the serp belt to bypass the AC compressor. I understand the AC won't work at all, but what I need right now is for everything else to work until I can replace this car.

Is this possible to do, and if so, what belt would I buy? I am seeing recommendations of a 49-50.5" belt, but you can't search for belts by size, soooo...

Help?

Post by **precopster** » 09 Mar 2016, 04:42

Consult the Gates manual from their USA website, look under Volvo and you should see some belt options for cars without A/C. Look under the 1999-2000 model P80 section (S70, C70 and V70) as they have the same accessory belt routing and specification as later P2s.

Post by **abscate** » 09 Mar 2016, 05:02

Just disable the AC ( you can pull the plug on the clutch) and use the regular belt.

Cutting the wire would even quicker but it's a bit of a hack

hismelaei · Post by **hismelaei** » 09 Mar 2016, 05:13

Would disabling the AC really fix this problem though? The AC is not on when the serp belt brakes. It's not like we turn on the AC and then the belt brakes, the pulley is seizing even without the AC on.

Post by **abscate** » 09 Mar 2016, 05:17

With the belt off, see if the AC pulley spins freely. Engine off, of course.

It's pretty rare for the clutch to lock up, but it's possible. In this case , you do need the shorter non-AC belt of course

hismelaei · Post by **hismelaei** » 09 Mar 2016, 06:26

The AC compressor does not spin freely with the belt and car off. It will turn, but it takes effort and it grinds as it's turning. Once the belt is on and the car is on, the AC compressor smokes and makes a horrific grinding noise. Yesterday, we replaced the belt and my husband drove it to one place and the compressor was noisy and smoking just a bit. He went to leave, started the car, and the belt snapped.

So...yeah...shorter belt. Pretty sure I found the right model number from Gate. It's the same for all models without AC, so I think it's a pretty good bet that it will fit, now I just have to find one. There are a few dealers of Gate products near me, but I've never been to any of them. I can't go out until 1, so I'll be making some calls between now and then.

Thanks, guys!

Post by **oragex** » 09 Mar 2016, 07:31

Replacing the a/c pulley bearing is not too hard
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread ... clutch-fix

I don't remember having read about someone who found a shorter belt but if you do find one it would be nice to post the part# for future use