AC compressor '95 TS 3.8 - How hard to replace?

Mine was making a nasty noise last fall and I bypassed it with a smaller belt. I'm going to have to do something, as I can't stand a hot car in summer. Is this a big job to replace? What's involved?

What sort of noise was it making? A real grinding noise while clutch disengaged, but sounds OK when compressor kicks in? My 95 with 3.8 was doing that, turned out to be the air gap adjustment in the A/C clutch was out, an hours labor to fix at dealer
Jeff

It could also be the bearing of the pully. These are replaceable in situ. Saves a refill.
Before you buy stuff or open the system, take it to a specialist (in older systems) and set a diagnose. Could save some money.

Have a nice day,

Andy

Thanks, I'll have it looked at.

... A real grinding noise while clutch disengaged, but sounds OK when compressor kicks in? My 95 with 3.8 was doing that, turned out to be the air gap adjustment in the A/C clutch was out,..Jeff

Mine is just lke that at this time..and as I do not really use A/C, I have indeed bypassed it with short belt; plan to fix it next summer...if summer comes...:disappoin
...and several years ago, just like elroyas, was idle bearing for pulley....car was still on warranty at the time, and GM had first changed the alternator for that noise, to no avail...they were just to go for the water pump when I signalled the A/C bearing issue....that was done in situ without emptying anything...

So check these 2 possibilities...i'd say probabilities out before anything else.

Mine is just lke that at this time..and as I do not really use A/C, I have indeed bypassed it with short belt; plan to fix it next summer...if summer comes...:disappoin
...and several years ago, just like elroyas, was idle bearing for pulley....car was still on warranty at the time, and GM had first changed the alternator for that noise, to no avail...they were just to go for the water pump when I signalled the A/C bearing issue....that was done in situ without emptying anything...

So check these 2 possibilities...i'd say probabilities out before anything else.

yep, sounds like it.

OMG I hope you guys are still here. To the guys that bypassed the ac on your T S 3.8 L WHAT SIZE BELT? please let me know I have a bad ac clutch and need to bypass it.
Joe

With A/C the serpentine belt is 102.5", PN 1025K6. With out A/C the belt is 72.5", 30" shorter, PN 725K6.

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