Can I put a shorter serpentine belt on a 2002 f150 5.4liter without removing the ac compressor and without using a bypass pulley?

 

why? are you doing an emissions delete?

 

if your going to delete the ac compressor its in your best interest to use the bypass pulley.....the tensioner and belt system was designed to use the longer belt......if the shorter belt route is taken the tensioner won't work correctly and the belt will rub on the tensioner arm.....

 

Pull the connector off the compressor clutch if you don't want the operational drag or it's nonfunctional.
Then the compressor pully is only an idler not taking any power unless it's bearing is bad, then you have to do the repair.

 

The compressor has seized up and stopped the belt. I was going to replace the compressor but it does not seem to be such an easy task

 

What happens is the clutch fails locking the compressor on all the time causing it to eventually seize up. Its not actually that hard to replace the compressor but its recommended you evacuate the system and replace the accumulator especially when you have a full on seize up like that. There is debris in the system that need to come out. You could just replace the compressor to get the truck functional then later Take it in and have it evacuated and all. Dont forget to replace the accumulator to. Leave it unplugged until you complete repairing it..

 

It's more of a hassle to bypass than to do the repair and you still have an A/C that is out unless you don't care about it in the cool state of FLA.
The compressor is easy to get at from the bottom.
Do it right.
Good luck.

 

I unplugged the cluthch and it will turn by hand but the compressor pulley is still locked up. Started to remove the compressor but I cant get the 2 top bolts out. Before I continue how can I check to see if it's the pulley bearing? I also checked the coolant pressure and I haven't lost any coolant since it was charged 2 months ago.

 

you can only check the coolent level when the compressors on.. The R134 level isnt relevant to the compressor being locked up anyway all you really need is the clutch to move freely if you unplugged it and it moves you could leave it unplugged and the truck is operational without AC. The only real way to check the bearing it to hook up the belt and see what kind of noise it makes.. Usually though the clutch fails and that causes the compressor to lock up..

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I pulled the clutch assembly off. It is shot. Once I had it off I could turn the compressor shaft easily.

 

A clutch assembly is a hell of a lot cheaper and easier to change out than a compressor.

 

I was more than happy to return the $200 compressor I bought and exchange it for an $80 clutch assembly. Works great now