2 Shredded serpentine belts within 20 miles

[BlottoGonzo]

So, here I am. am gonna replace another belt.
I bought a new tensioner and idler pulley, too.

I didn't think about the AC compressor though (Doh!)...

Any ideas how to check the AC compressor before I install the new parts (and determine if I can get my $ exchanged for a new AC compressor instead)?

 

[sgtowing]

With the engine off and the belt off, see if the pulley spins freely. If it doesn't, then it locked up. Could be just the clutch or the compressor itself. Also, you might have an accessory out of alignment also causing the belt to shred.

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[Stoned06]

^^^What sg said. When the belt is off, make sure the pulley spins freely.

 

[JUST4FUN]

the groved part will be the only part that will turn, the nose of the compresser will not

 

[tonydiv]

If the compressor is THAT locked up, I would think that you would have heard some noise from it, building up to its failure. I mean once that clutch engaged, and the compressor didn't turn, it would have made a ton of racket (as well as a burning clutchy -metaly smell)

The good thing is, that if the pulley itself does turn, (and you can live without AC) you can just unplug the wires to the compressor and drive as normal. If it's totally locked up, you can either get a new compressor for less than $200 of install an AC bypass pulley.

 

[CARO'S98EB]

Just to be clear the grooved pulley on the compressor should turn freely and smoothly without any play. the clutch plate on the end should turn but with smooth resistance

 

[sgtowing]

Just to be clear the grooved pulley on the compressor should turn freely and smoothly without any play. the clutch plate on the end should turn but with smooth resistance

Yes, the grooved part should spin freely. The center clutch part should not spin.

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[mrford60]

if the ac compressor had locked up it would have stalled the engine or melted the belt, sence it it shreaded the belt it sounds like something is out if alignement and ripping the belt. A customer of mine had a power steering pump run out of fluid and lock up and stalled the engine, we thought he had blown the engine untill we took off the belt.

 

[hahnlsquid]

did you figure it out

how many miles on the truck? like others said a locked up pully or compressor would have been making alot of noise and burnnot shred. things to check
1. take belt off and make sure all pullys are tight and spin freely and evenly no wobble ect,
2. did you recently have any pullys off and forget washers ect?
3. bearings inside water pump tend to fail at high milage alowing the haft to spin out of round and belt can fall off or get ripped for spinning uneven
4. incorect belt routing can make belt rub on front cover studs or other hardware
\good luck