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Old 08-12-2015, 01:07 PM   #1
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Bypassing Dash AC Compressor

Hello everyone. I have been searching for this topic in a number of places and cannot find anything on it. Hopefully that's not because it's completely outrageous! ;-) My dash a/c just went out on my 2005 Fleetwood Expedition. Actually, it never worked well, but the compressor started making serious noises. I'm told it's the clutch and not a bearing. Regardless, the bill will be about $2,000 for something that is basically useless. So my questions is, has anyone ever bypassed the compressor by putting a shorter serpantine belt on, or installed a non-functional pulley where the compressor currently resides. My RV shop won't do this. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,

Kelly
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Old 08-12-2015, 01:10 PM   #2
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What chassis?

(Note - the numbers I referenced are in the right drawing, not the left drawing)

If its a Ford V10, probably not. As you can see in this drawing, the tensioner (#1) pulls against the A/C compressor (#9). So you would need to fabricate a plate or something with an idler and mount it where the A/C compressor is.

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Old 08-12-2015, 01:22 PM   #3
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On the last three DP's the air con has been an add on and has a separate V belt so all we'd have to do is remove it.
OP has a Fleetwood Expedition 38N according to his profile.
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Old 08-12-2015, 01:29 PM   #4
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Sorry for being vague. It is a Freightliner Chassis with the Caterpillar engine. It's a DP.
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Old 08-12-2015, 01:32 PM   #5
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Why not find another compressor at the junk yard? A lot cheaper then 2 thousand and you would have cold air again!
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Old 08-12-2015, 01:44 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiresrus View Post
Sorry for being vague. It is a Freightliner Chassis with the Caterpillar engine. It's a DP.
OK, I don't know the lineup for them so I didn't catch that.
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Old 08-12-2015, 03:29 PM   #7
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I'd figure out the compressor type. There are only so many makers of AC compressors and I've never seen a clutch that's anywhere near $2k. Most DPs have the AC clutch in a position where it's reasonably accessible. For $2k, I'd expect replacing the compressor completely, flushing everything, new dryer, new expansion valve.....

I just did a clutch on Toyota - it was remarkably easy to do once you know what you're after... There is a possibility that the DP setup is harder, but I can't imagine $2k.
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Old 08-12-2015, 03:37 PM   #8
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If it is a CAT pusher. Is there a single belt that only drives the AC compressor?
If so just remove it to "bypass" the compressor.

$2,000 has got to be for much more than just fixing the clutch as others mentioned


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Old 08-12-2015, 03:41 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiresrus View Post
Sorry for being vague. It is a Freightliner Chassis with the Caterpillar engine. It's a DP.
So were talking C-7 , Cat ? or a 3126E ?
First thing I'd look into would be a second opinion and quote on the repair.
Even with the extra time a rear rad would take, 2K is a chunk of extra change!
I'll look at my 3126B set up then try to find out if a C-7 belt routing / compressor location is the same ; to see if a shorter belt is an option.
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Old 08-12-2015, 04:00 PM   #10
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First off, if it is just the clutch, clutches can be removed and replaced without discharging the system. Go to a better ac shop. That's a $200 to $400. depending on the cost of the clutch. Unless it's ridiculous to get to.

If you are insistent on bypassing the ac compressor, find an application for that cat engine that doesn't have air conditioning and see if you can't use that belt. Compressors are typically supplied by the engine supplier.
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Old 08-13-2015, 07:49 AM   #11
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Thank you, everyone! What a great forum!! It is a C-7, and I like the idea of finding an application for this engine that doesn't include the compressor. That has to exist, which means a shorter belt has to exist. I think I may start with my local freightliner dealer. Thanks again!
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Old 08-13-2015, 08:18 AM   #12
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Kelly; Please take a moment to set up a signature line, by clicking " Quick Links" under your welcome message , then " Edit Signature" type in your coach info then click, save at the bottom of that page. Then your coach info will appear below your posts, as mine does below this one ; automatically; you won't have to type it in every time.
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Old 08-13-2015, 11:53 AM   #13
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Please see my post waiting for parts. Avoid being stuck. Good Luck!
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Old 08-13-2015, 01:27 PM   #14
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I bought
Compressor for $200
Dryer $24

Have AC shop vacuum otthe 134A.

Install your compressor and dryer. About 8 bolts.

Have Ac shop test and fiil your system

Or

Buy clutch for compressor $125, and minstall.
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