Possible DIY A/C Bypass

**nik12937** · 08-22-2012

My A/C's clutch is going pretty damn bad, I can hear it scratching/grinding when the A/C is off, and when it used to turn on it would whirr and almost make a hooting noise. The system has a leak somewhere so the A/C doesn't work or more than a week anyways if you refill the refrigerant.

Since it's getting closer to winter and colder temperatures, I'm waiting for more towards the summer to replace the entire system the correct way as I'm a little short on cash right now, and I had the idea of simply removing the clutch but leaving the bearing and pulley in place (if the bearing is in good shape) so I didn't have to buy a bypass pulley. Save some cash ya know? Plus no local stores sell them around here anymore :/

Would this be possible? The noise is very hard to ignore if I'm not playing music constantly, and occasionally at WOT shifts my belts squeals for a split second as if it gets hung up on the A/C, and I really don't want to shred a belt.

**BillBoost37** · 08-22-2012

I think the cluch/bearing and pulling tool are more expensive than buying a bypass.

**TLSheff** · 08-22-2012

DORMAN Part # 34195

Part is on RockAuto or at most local Auto Parts Stores. +/- $50.00

I have one for my Bonnie, made things so much easier when the AC locked up, didn't use it very often anyways and gave me time to save up money to fix it right.

**matt5112** · 08-22-2012

Ninja'd?

Picture wasn't right at first, then i post the part number, then magically the picture is right.

**nik12937** · 08-22-2012

I was afraid to hear that. I did a quick Google search and had noticed the cheapest was like $50-60, so you pretty much confirmed that suspicion.

Would it damage anything to just put in a used compressor from Morad's and take out the A/C fuse until I have the cash for the other parts? The orifice tube and the other part whose name I can't recall... the evaporator or condenser?

I've noticed on most threads here everyone recommends replacing the whole system, and I'm not completely sure why because I know to have the system vaccuumed out before filling, so I feel like that would clear everything out.

I bet I'm mistaken though, I've gotten pretty good with suspension/electrical/body work, but I'm just getting into the drivetrain and all the accessories that run off it. I'll admit, I've really "fallen" for GP's.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-22-2012

its just standard practices to change the orifice tube and dryer and what not. usually when a compressor goes bad it dumps crap into the rest of the system, then you put the new compressor on and it gets killed real fast.

not sure if thats all needed if just the clutch has gone bad, i would think not in the long run.

**matt5112** · 08-22-2012

for warranty many pieces need to be replaced.

**TLSheff** · 08-22-2012

Originally Posted by matt5112

Ninja'd?

Picture wasn't right at first, then i post the part number, then magically the picture is right.

Initial google search landed me on a 3.1 bypass and I kept thinking after I posted that it didn't look quite right, so I searched more and found the right one and right price.

**matt5112** · 08-22-2012

Amazon.com: Dorman 34195 HELP! Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley: Automotive

$31.09 shipped.

Very accurate pricing.

**nik12937** · 08-22-2012

My face lit up when I saw that price, no joke. Even a used compressor from Morad Parts is about $75, so I wasn't sure if I should just jump up about $20 to one and just not use it until the whole system was replaced. But for that price^ plus free shipping, I may wait on the compressor.

I live in Northeast PA so our average high's are anywhere between 70-85 right now. I'd like to have the AC, but I'd only get a good use out of it for a few weeks (if it was even safe to run after only replacing that), then it's going to slowly turn back into a winter wonerla... uh... who am I kidding, hellhole. Luckily my GP doesn't have any problems in the snow, it's other people under estimating how long they need to stop or how slow to take corners that worries me every year.

Any of you guys ever live/visit PA? Not a bad state overall, but our roads suck so much, all the time. Winter is random frozen patches everywhere they souldn't be (like before a bridge, but not on the bridge), and the rest of the time it's pot hole filled roads because the dudes at PennDOT get paid to stare at one guy drive a steamroller

Edit: Both Amazon and Dorman do need to do a little twice over on their "part fitment guides" though, according to Dorman, it will fit 3.8L V6's, but only up to 98. Uuhh, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure all the 3800's in GP's have the same pulley layout...

**Scottydoggs** · 08-22-2012

i got the same roads here in NJ. it fun dodging pot holes.

riddle me this why is that some highways are beet red? and i say beet because im thinking they are using beet juice for ice melt and it stains the road ways. very odd how it just starts and stops, like you just crossed county lines, towns or something.

**Sven the Sexman** · 08-22-2012

Originally Posted by nik12937

My face lit up when I saw that price, no joke. Even a used compressor from Morad Parts is about $75, so I wasn't sure if I should just jump up about $20 to one and just not use it until the whole system was replaced. But for that price^ plus free shipping, I may wait on the compressor.

I live in Northeast PA so our average high's are anywhere between 70-85 right now. I'd like to have the AC, but I'd only get a good use out of it for a few weeks (if it was even safe to run after only replacing that), then it's going to slowly turn back into a winter wonerla... uh... who am I kidding, hellhole. Luckily my GP doesn't have any problems in the snow, it's other people under estimating how long they need to stop or how slow to take corners that worries me every year.

Any of you guys ever live/visit PA? Not a bad state overall, but our roads suck so much, all the time. Winter is random frozen patches everywhere they souldn't be (like before a bridge, but not on the bridge), and the rest of the time it's pot hole filled roads because the dudes at PennDOT get paid to stare at one guy drive a steamroller

Edit: Both Amazon and Dorman do need to do a little twice over on their "part fitment guides" though, according to Dorman, it will fit 3.8L V6's, but only up to 98. Uuhh, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure all the 3800's in GP's have the same pulley layout...

Where you at in NE PA?