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2010 1.8 SL a/c compressor bypass

16K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  JonBlazee 
#1 ·
Hi all, first post here, hoping for some help.

I've searched, even found a related thread here (2007 versa), about the possibility of bypassing a 1.8SL Hatch a/c compressor. I haven't been able to find a clear answer. Does anyone know if it is possible?

I found a thread here for a 2007 stating that a bypass pulley is needed, the belt can't simply be routed without the a/c pulley as it will not properly route the water pump pulley. However, for the life of me I can't source or find a bypass pulley anywhere (and I've searched for days). Interestingly, Gates belts lists a serpentine belt for 'w/o AC' - but it is only a bit shorter than the regular belt - so that almost implies that a slightly smaller pulley is being used - and the routing diagram they show is the same diagram for with or without a/c - so again makes me think a bypass pulley is being used.

I can't afford a new compressor install, so just trying to bypass the compressor and have no a/c (or windshield defrost).

Thanks for any help!
 
#3 ·
Pretty sure the bearings are bad - the pulley vibrates bad at times, actually making a rattle/knocking noise. The AC did stop working, may have run out of refrigerant as I do have a leak. At one point when I had the engine running, trying to locate the noise, there was actually smoke coming from around the pulley and tensioner.
 
#4 ·
Just looked on an '11 and '10 the same. The compressor routes drivebelt to S-wrap the water pump enough to drive it, removing compressor pulley will then not wrap the pump enough to drive it. You MUST use some sort of bypass pulley. If Nissan uses one when a/c is not on the car then the belt companies will likely not list one to be bought, there is already one available from Nissan, they cannot make any money there.
 
#5 ·
So called Nissan parts today - the one place I didn't check with yet. While they do not have a pre-fab bypass pulley, they have encountered it before and can order a pulley for $100 and a bracket to mount it for about $60, and use this set up to bypass the a/c.

Another option is to buy a used compressor and basically just use it as a pulley - don't actually connect it to the a/c system. I guess I could then in the future hook it up to get a working a/c again. But for a 10 year old car, I'm thinking pulley/bracket - then maybe sell it in a year or so without a working a/c. I don't think I'd get my money back out of the car by installing a working a/c.
 
#6 ·
As you stated, I think the pulley/bracket is the way to go. There is no telling what the price would be if you try and get the ac up to snuff. Sometimes you may run into leaks and issues elsewhere that can drive up the price of getting it up and running. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
#7 ·
That does suck having to go without A/C, but I hear you. It can get expensive. Did you get any ballpark estimates on getting it working?

I have found that our 2015 Versa S actually isn't too annoying with the windows down. Not nearly as bad as most every other vehicle I've owned in the past 25yrs or so.
 
#9 ·
I don't know how realistic the idea is on Japanese cars but on domestics I buy the compressor clutch all the time by itself and all you need there and using the original compressor with it not turning. The way of the world now is forced sales of those to get both compressor and clutch in one unit but not always, you have to mess with the counter guys when they say it only comes together. Not always true.

I even go deeper to research the particular bearing needed and have changed the bearing to clutch myself to get one back up and running for less than $50 ($36). Junkyard parts and the one bolt that holds clutch on compressor and I've bought clutch alone for $10 before and lucked into one almost brand new, it had just been changed.

Not saying it's possible here but like with most things I do you don't know until you push for it. I tend to live outside of the box.
 
#10 ·
I don't know how realistic the idea is on Japanese cars but on domestics I buy the compressor clutch all the time by itself and all you need there and using the original compressor with it not turning.
For sure on that.

I don't have the resources to do this work myself in my garage, but if you do, the sky is the limit in terms of what you can dig into on the drive end of these compressors.

I love watching south main auto on youtube for this reason. Eric O takes on this type of thing all day long fixing what's broke instead of throwing crap rebuilt components onto a vehicle.
 
#11 ·
The industry of auto a/c is well known for staying as tight-lipped as possible to preserve the massive profits it makes. I know, I used to do the same when I was in parts. The vast majority of compressors are sold for no reason at all other than to get the sale and then they make sure the persons buying them do not know half the facts it takes to make the new part last forever while working well the whole time. Much of the reason for that is because the general public will not do the fine detail work needed to pull it off anyway, you get tired of giving the spiel for no reason. Just let them come back for another compressor when that one blows up in 6 months, you get double the incentive that way. Ruthless!

It's like ATX repair, they won't touch it at all if they cannot change the entire transmission, part of it is because the 'techs' (a misuse of wording if I ever saw it) are not smart enough to be able to do localized repair at bottom dollar that can often have ATX back up and running for pennies. I've gotten 20 more years out of one using a single 30 cent washer in the correct place and 7 minutes of work. Meanwhile the 'tech' changes to a different trans and the Chinese rebuilder then makes him jump through repeat hoops when that trans runs like crap because AGAIN even the Chinese guy did not do the detail work needed to make it last.

I have rebuilt my last 3-4 a/c clutches to have them go back to running fine and cost literally nothing. I'd rebuild the compressors too but try finding the parts, the market has closed up on them just like with alternators, they only want to sell the entire unit and 90% of the time that is not what you need.
 
#12 ·
Well I'm back to searching for options. The dealer tried to order the parts, but the bracket is on backorder - they don't even know if its being made anymore as there is no ETA on the bracket.

He did suggest going to junk/salvage yards - what they've used and would have ordered are a pulley and bracket off a 1.6l sedan without a/c - that's what he told me to search for.

So I'm going to be looking for those or a used compressor - might have better luck with a compressor as that's probably already been pulled out of the car ready to sell.
 
#13 ·
Hi all, first post here, hoping for some help. I've searched, even found a related thread here (2007 versa), about the possibility of bypassing a 1.8SL Hatch a/c compressor. I haven't been able to find a clear answer. Does anyone know if it is possible? I found a thread here for a 2007 stating that a bypass pulley is needed, the belt can't simply be routed without the a/c pulley as it will not properly route the water pump pulley. However, for the life of me I can't source or find a bypass pulley anywhere (and I've searched for days). Interestingly, Gates belts lists a serpentine belt for 'w/o AC' - but it is only a bit shorter than the regular belt - so that almost implies that a slightly smaller pulley is being used - and the routing diagram they show is the same diagram for with or without a/c - so again makes me think a bypass pulley is being used. I can't afford a new compressor install, so just trying to bypass the compressor and have no a/c (or windshield defrost). Thanks for any help!
Hello friend! So I too was experiencing a similar issue with the A/C compressor pulley /bearings being in the worst possible condition imagined. The pulley was damaged and wobbled everytime I turned the engine on. My bearings and clutch went bad so nothing but noise during a regular drive around the neighborhood. I wondered if I would be able to bypass the A/C pulley/compressor and install a shorter drive belt. Many ppl said no it wouldn't work. Sure enough I love a challenge so I went for it. I purchased a Duralast poly V-belt (Part # 388K6) from your friendly AutoZone . The belt definitely was shorter than the stock one. Route it around alternator,water pump,crankshaft and tensioner pulley. Started the engine right up and been riding ever since! Hope it works for y'all!! God BLESS
 
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