Is there any way I can remove my air compressor?

vanguard

vanguard

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Location
Apex, NC
My buggy has a slightly worked jeep 4.0 motor. Given that I don't have much use for the air compressor, it's time to replace the serpentine belt, and I'm one of those guys that cuts 5-8 lbs every time he gets a chance I thought I'd get rid of it.

The trouble is, I'm not sure if I can. I haven't had much engine trouble so I'm weaker in that area than I'd like to be.

Here's a diagram of the normal routing for my accessory pack.
awww.go.jeep_xj.info_Fan_20001.jpg


The top left pulley is the air compressor. If I remove it and run over the top of the idler pulley the wrong side of the belt will touch and the pulley will spin in the other direction. Are those things ok? Is the idea of removing the air compressor going to work?
 
what year is your 4.0 from? That would make it much easier to find the right diagram. A 99-02 4.0 without ac is like this
ai4.photobucket.com_albums_y119_cj777_0900c1528004443a.jpg
 
Will if your AC Compressor works and your gonna sell it Ill take it!

But My Compressor on my wrangler is locked up and you just run it back under your idler i think. I will try to take a pic of my diagram on my radiator fan shroud
 
vanguard said:
My buggy has a slightly worked jeep 4.0 motor. Given that I don't have much use for the air compressor, it's time to replace the serpentine belt, and I'm one of those guys that cuts 5-8 lbs every time he gets a chance I thought I'd get rid of it.
The trouble is, I'm not sure if I can. I haven't had much engine trouble so I'm weaker in that area than I'd like to be.
Here's a diagram of the normal routing for my accessory pack.
awww.go.jeep_xj.info_Fan_20001.jpg

The top left pulley is the air compressor. If I remove it and run over the top of the idler pulley the wrong side of the belt will touch and the pulley will spin in the other direction. Are those things ok? Is the idea of removing the air compressor going to work?
Click to expand...

Where's the belt tensioner in these diagrams? I worked with belt drives for a few years, and heard the term idler and tensioner used interchangeably, but they're not. A true idler can be rotated backwards, but if that idler pulley is on the tensioner arm, you don't want to reverse that direction.
The idler pictured should be a smooth one, designed for the backside of the belt. It will be OK running backwards (if its not the tensioner) with the belt ribs riding on the smooth idler pulley. My only reservations would be belt tracking, and those span lengths look fairly long. I doubt this idler pulley has a "fence" on the font or back of the pulley to help keep the belt on, most likely its just a radius. Then you'll have to figure out the new belt length.

When I first read this post, I thought the best thing would be to relocate the alternator to the AC position. Most likely some bracket/fab work, then still need to figure out the new belt length.

The diagram cj777 posted shows the WP and fan spinning the opposite direction from what you have...thats not gonna work. Maybe with an electric fan, but do you want to reverse the water pump flow?

For figuring belt lengths, I've gone to http://www.daycoproducts.com/, then, APPLICATION/INTERCHANGE, then in the new window Poly-Cog Belts. Enter the # of ribs and your measured belt length, it will spit out a Dayco #. Cross this on napaonline.com, see whats in stock, how much....it sure beats the genius at AutoZone asking 2 or 4 wd...? :lol:
EDIT: it seems like either Dayco's database or my Firefox is acting up, I keep getting the same results no matter what I search on.

One more thing...if the belt length you need is only available in something too wide, don't be afraid to use a razor to remove a few ribs.
 
This is a picture of my actual accessory package.

dcp_3728.jpg


The belt is tensioned by adjusting the position of the power steering pump. As far as I know they idler pulleys are just pulleys with no other function than to guide the belt but I'm not positive about that. I need to see my rig in person again.

The current plan is to remove the A/C (top left), remove one pulley, (next to the alternator), and run it straight to the power steering pump (top right). I think it will spin the remaining idler pulley. I need to look at it in person to see if it will work but it seems like a good plan from here.

Thoughts?
 
vanguard said:
This is a picture of my actual accessory package.
dcp_3728.jpg

The belt is tensioned by adjusting the position of the power steering pump. As far as I know they idler pulleys are just pulleys with no other function than to guide the belt but I'm not positive about that. I need to see my rig in person again.
The current plan is to remove the A/C (top left), remove one pulley, (next to the alternator), and run it straight to the power steering pump (top right). I think it will spin the remaining idler pulley. I need to look at it in person to see if it will work but it seems like a good plan from here.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...


That is exactly how the belt is on my 95 with a 2.5. I had to do the exact opposite of you about a year or two ago when i added a stock compressor for OBA but unfortunately i dont have any pics of it before that. It sounds like what you are planning is right.
 
i would take off the compressor, and get a grooved idler pulley, and make a bracket that bolts in place of the a/c compressor, but keeps the routing similar to stock.


Woody you idea sounds good, but i'm worried that long of a span from the alternator to the p/s pump will allow the belt to "flop" around vertically to some degree possible hitting on the t-stat housing or water pump pulley.

just my .02
 
Mac5005 said:
Woody you idea sounds good, but i'm worried that long of a span from the alternator to the p/s pump will allow the belt to "flop" around vertically to some degree possible hitting on the t-stat housing or water pump pulley.
just my .02
Click to expand...
I think it's still going to be redirected by the idler pulley near the A/C compressor, just not as much as it is now.
 
Back
Top