Ok, same ole story.
A friend of mine calls me up. his trucks broke, no clue what the problem is.
Told me it's been squeking for awhile.

I have him try to turn it over and it tries to, has the power to, but can't turn it.... something is locked up.
my first thought, I check the oil.... none. He has not checked or changed it in 10,000 miles. *sigh* After a long lecture:

I pour some mystery oil, and top it off with some napa oil.
I pull off the serpentine belt, click the selenoid and wala... fires up. Engine isn't locked up, runs like a champ.
5.4 V8 triton btw.
Kill the motor, and I can manually turn everything by hand, the power steering, the water pump, the alternator, tensioner spins. Only thing I can't turn is the drive shaft (duh) and the wheel for the AC.
After putting the belt back on and a few clicks to see what'll happen, the drive shaft does indeed move an inch when we try to start the truck.

obvious assessment, bad ac, either clutch or compressor.... locked up either way.
$300+ for the new unit, he can't afford it, and I'm tired of picking him up for work.

so (finally) to my question.
Is there some way I can use a different serpentine belt, and if neccesary, a different tensioner to run the truck without turning the ac?
The guys at Napa told me for this truck, 99 f150 xlt, 5.4 V8 triton, that you cannot.
I've done it on older trucks.

any advice, any wisdom? seems a pity the AC (which is totally non essential) is killing this truck.

many thanks in advance,
Drew

 

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Welcome to FTE!

Under the hood you should find a sticker with the belt route. It should show with and with out A/C. You will most likely need to break the A/C system down and remove the compressor. Your local parts store can provide you with the correct belt number without A/C and some stores have belt diagrams.

I would test fit the shorter belt before removing the A/C compressor. If you intend to repair the A/C system in the future, it is better if the system is in tact and at the time of the repairs. If you remove the compressor you need to keep the old unit because many parts stores charge a “core deposit” on the new unit.

P.S. If the Compressor is removed or left in place, unplug all electrical plugs on the compressor. Wrap the plugs in plastic and then tape the plastic in place and tie them out of the way. The reason for the plastic and then the tape: is the stick from the tape will not remain on the plug and not cause a problem with a reinstall and it will keep water out of the plug.

 

actually the sticker under the hood is for the belt path for the 5.4 and the 4.6 (i think).
the sticker didn't show a route without the ac.

I might try calling other parts stores, Napa said it isn't possible... The belt would rub on something and eventually tear up.

I'll google around some to see if I can't find other belt paths.

thanks,
Drew

 

I have a 97 F-150 w/4.6 and the sticker does indeed show two paths for the belt with or without ac. You turn the tensioner clockwise to remove belt if ac equipped and counter clockwise if non ac equipped. This applies to 5.4 of the same year too. I just looked at the sticker.

 

sweet!
so I wouldn't need a different tensioner?

thanks alot folks.... I've been reading here for years and it has helped my 88 f150 straight six attain 270,000.... not bad for a landscape/timber working truck.

thanks again,
drew

 

didn't work.
the tensioner only moves clockwise.....

If I got the tensioner for the non-ac equipt motor and removed the AC (which would be in the way) could we make it work?

so close, but yet so far.
thanks!
Drew

 

Just ran a New Belt too by-pass the AC unit (took a 95 inch) on my '91 F150 4.7 6 Cylinder, I'm a little concerned be cause the belt is touching the pull that I by-passed, how long will it last ? shoul;d I try and figure out how to remove the AC unit??Unfortunatly this didnt fix my starting problem as I still get No Crank, even with Jumper Cables. Might be starter that I had repaced last week? (and that one was only 8 months old) new Alt, V-reg,& hot cable as well. Anyone help with belt issue??