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1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 8:45 pm
by kennyramjam
Hi. I'm new to the forum and have logged on with a question about my Mom's 1994 Bonneville. She wants to bypass the ac
compressor and has been told the only way to do this is by using a bypass pulley. This requires removing the compressor
which is a job deleggated to her son (ME), but as I look at the way the serpentine belt wraps around the various pulleys,
I wonder if it would work just as well (and be easier) just to use a shorter belt and not deal with any
pulley at all. Any
reason this can't be done. What size is the belt, if it can. 1994 Bonneville 4 door sedan 3.8L. THANKS
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 9:14 pm
by J Wikoff
You can do it with a shorter belt. I've done it, but I can't remember how long the belt is... take a string and follow the belt (installed, so the tensioner is where it will be).
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 10:19 am
by willwren
Remember his belt path is different than yours, John.
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:07 am
by J Wikoff
I did it on my wife's old 93 SE, same as a 94.
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 12:01 pm
by willwren
Oops. I forgot about that one!
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 6:48 pm
by kennyramjam
Thanks for the info. My only concern is that the water pump will not have the belt
wrapped around it as far, though it looks like it would be far enough. Anyone
using a shorter belt have any trouble with the water pump slipping? If I could
use a shorter belt instead of having to take off the compressor to install an
idler it SURE would be easier. As long as it actually works! I'm becoming
cautiously optimistic. More input, if you can.
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:06 pm
by J Wikoff
My wife's car didn't have any temp issues with the reduced belt wrap.
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 7:41 am
by Jrs3800
IIRC this will be a 73" belt, only problem is that the belt rides super close to the Torque Axis Mount Bracket
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 9:16 pm
by kennyramjam
Once again, thanks, guys. Looks like I've come to the right place. By the way, what is the meaning of IIRC? I'm guessing "If
I recall correctly". Anyone else out there have good luck with 73"? I guess, at this point, I could just buy one, and see how
it works...I shouldn't have to even run the car to see if it fits. I don't mind if it runs close to a bracket, as long as it can't
touch it. If I don't actually run the car to check it out, I should be able to take it back if it doesn't look like it will work.
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 9:44 pm
by J Wikoff
You got IIRC right.
It is 70-something. Search posts by me with "belt". I've probably answered the same question sometime before I forgot what I used.
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:30 am
by scottsu150
I just did this on my 94, For anyone else who wants to do it the belt was a NAPA 25-060725 which is 73 1/4 inches long.
Re: 1994 Bonneville a/c bypass without bypass pulley
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:07 pm
by mhobryan
Have a 95 with a series II engine ... will the 73 inch measurement work also, or does the series II have a different belt path?