A/C belt

1996 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
270,000 MILES • 3.0L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SYORK0038
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My A/C belt broke today on my van. The belt had been squalling for a bit. How can I figure out why the belt broke and can I still drive my van without that belt? I just had a timing belt kit installed in December due to a bad water pump. Should my mechanic had noticed any issues when he replaced the water pump?
May 28, 2018 at 9:58 PM
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HARRY P
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Hello. The easiest way to test the pulleys is to simply turn the pulleys by hand with the belt off. If it feels rough when turning, or does not turn at all, then the pulley is your problem. Otherwise it could simply just be that the belt was at the end of its life cycle, had stretched and worn, and eventually broke.

Here is a guide that goes into more detail: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-squeaking-noise

Check the pulleys that are on that belt and let us know what you find.
May 29, 2018 at 3:57 AM
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PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
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You should be able to run without the AC belt since the AC compressor is the only thing it runs. The noise however is either coming from the AC compressor pulley or the pulley where the jack screw is located in this diagram.
To replace that belt:
1. Loosen adjusting lock-nut, then turn jack-screw, Fig. 27, counterclockwise to reduce belt tension and remove belt.
2. When reinstalling belt, adjust belt tension to 5/16 inch deflection between pulleys.
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May 29, 2018 at 8:21 AM
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