A/C Compressor and system question?

[mosnet99]

My compressor on my 1.8t is cracked in two places, and I'm not talking about hairline cracks. So I was going to replace it with a working used one. What I wanted to do is replace the compressor & drier myself then take it to an A/C shop to be diagnosed to save money. However, I'm not sure the system has no gas or oil. Is it safe to assume with a compressor with a big crack in it that all gas & oil leaked out?

[diagnosticator]

The compressor can run for a short time with no refrigerant, because the compressor holds oil for this situation. A better plan would be to bypass the compressor pulley by using a shorter accessory drive belt until the system is recharged properly with refrigerant and compressor oil.

The compressor can be bypassed easily by using a Gates K060450 drive belt.

[mosnet99]

The compressor can run for a short time with no refrigerant, because the compressor holds oil for this situation. A better plan would be to bypass the compressor pulley by using a shorter accessory drive belt until the system is recharged properly with refrigerant and compressor oil.

The compressor can be bypassed easily by using a Gates K060450 drive belt.

The short belt is to be able replace the compressor and get the system serviced whenever I can without damaging the replacement while driving it?

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

[old guy]

Correct. The shorter belt will allow you to install and bypass the compressor completely and continue to drive the car.

[john_gonzo]

OP, the thread below contains other info pertinent to your situation. It starts out with 3.0 stuff but other 'ziners added good general info.

Bypassing-3-0-A-C-compressor-pulley-with-shorter-serpentine-belt

[mosnet99]

OP, the thread below contains other info pertinent to your situation. It starts out with 3.0 stuff but other 'ziners added good general info.

Bypassing-3-0-A-C-compressor-pulley-with-shorter-serpentine-belt

Thanx John...OG too

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

[my1stturbo]

In a similar situation(compressor leaking) so was going to replace it. Does anyone know what car the Gates belt fits so I can pick one up at local parts place?

[old guy]

In a similar situation(compressor leaking) so was going to replace it. Does anyone know what car the Gates belt fits so I can pick one up at local parts place?

You should be able to get the belt by giving the local auto parts supplier the Gates part #K060450

[my1stturbo]

OK thanks, will see if I can grab one. BTW, how long is it OK to drive with the system empty before a recharge. Was planning on swapping the compressor and drier and then getting a recharge a week later.

[diagnosticator]

OK thanks, will see if I can grab one. BTW, how long is it OK to drive with the system empty before a recharge. Was planning on swapping the compressor and drier and then getting a recharge a week later.

The Gates K060450 belt fits the 1.8T to bypass the A/C compressor.

With the compressor bypassed, there is no limit to how long you can drive before having the A/C system repaired and recharged.

When installing the short compressor bypass belt, make sure you route the belt so that the ungroved idler pulleys only run on the backside of the belt. The groved side must only run on groved pulleys.

[my1stturbo]

Thanks for the tip, will make sure to take notice.

I was more-so referring to the drier as I thought it would accumulate moisture if the system was opened and then not refilled?

[diagnosticator]

Thanks for the tip, will make sure to take notice.

I was more-so referring to the drier as I thought it would accumulate moisture if the system was opened and then not refilled?

The old used receiver-dryer will become saturated with water vapor quickly if the system is left open for any length of time, since it is already partially or possibly completely saturated with water vapor before the system is opened. It won't take much more water vapor to completely saturate the desiccant inside the receiver-dryer. The receiver-dryer needs to be replaced regardless of the system being left open or not, when a new compressor is installed and a system recharge is being done.
If you don't want to have the system recharged right away after replacing the compressor, reconnect all the system hoses and tubing but don't install a new receiver-dryer until the system is going to be recharged at the same time.