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Fluxn83
09-14-2016, 02:45 PM
Out of curiosity, I have heard that driving the car without the A/C compression drive belt does not hurt anything, you just won't be able to use your A/C. True or false? I'm talking no more than two days driving without one.

Thank you all in advance!


-Fluxn83
DMCMW Dave
09-14-2016, 02:51 PM
Out of curiosity, I have heard that driving the car without the A/C compression drive belt does not hurt anything, you just won't be able to use your A/C. True or false? I'm talking no more than two days driving without one.

-Fluxn83

Won't hurt anything. The belt only drives the A/C compressor. If leave it off, the compressor won't turn. Fewer things to go wrong (compressor bearing and two idler bearings, and the belt itself). In my experience cars that come in like this generally have frozen/dry idler bearings from lack of use, but that won't happen in two days. More like years.
David T
09-14-2016, 10:01 PM
If the belt is not on it usually means the A/C doesn't work. The car is still drivable BUT. If you try driving the car and the temperature is over 70 degrees F and sunny you will overheat like HRC. My advice would be to check if there is ANY pressure in the system. If less than 20 psi it has to be treated as if it is a dead, contaminated system and I would replace the 3 hoses, all of the seals and the accumulator dryer. Replace the oil, flush the coils and leaktest. I would also replace the 2 idler bearings and a new belt.
Jonathan
09-15-2016, 08:32 AM
Good description of the belt functions here:

http://support.delorean.com/kb/a39/belts.aspx

And also an answer to your question about whether it hurts anything to drive without the A/C compressor belt.
kings1527
09-15-2016, 01:43 PM
If the belt is not on it usually means the A/C doesn't work. The car is still drivable BUT. If you try driving the car and the temperature is over 70 degrees F and sunny you will overheat like HRC.

How is it even possible to overheat the car without the AC belt attached? The AC belt is routed from the compressor to the crankshaft pulley. It has nothing to do with turning the water pump.
Dangermouse
09-15-2016, 01:54 PM
He means that you, the driver, will overheat like Mrs. Clinton.

Not the car :)
kings1527
09-15-2016, 02:04 PM
He means that you, the driver, will overheat like Mrs. Clinton.

Not the car :)

Lol...perfect response! Thanks for clarifying!
Lwanmtr
09-16-2016, 05:47 AM
Wear a bowl on your head with dry ice?
DMCMW Dave
09-16-2016, 03:10 PM
Wear a bowl on your head with dry ice?

Drive naked but you'll probably stick to the seat.
DMCVegas
09-16-2016, 03:29 PM
https://cdn.meme.am/instances/31176037.jpg

That's absolutely true, as is the fact that I drove my car year round in Vegas for nearly 5 years with no A/C and can tell you that it's not nearly as bad as others let on. Convertibles like Jeeps are much worse. Unless you live in a swamp where you need it to dry the air out and defog the glass, you'll be just fine.
David T
09-16-2016, 04:38 PM
That's absolutely true, as is the fact that I drove my car year round in Vegas for nearly 5 years with no A/C and can tell you that it's not nearly as bad as others let on. Convertibles like Jeeps are much worse. Unless you live in a swamp where you need it to dry the air out and defog the glass, you'll be just fine.

Maybe you are more acclimated to the heat. Without A/C you can lose POUNDS and dehydrate quickly. I once had to drive about 15 minutes and I was soaking wet and stuck to the seat. It's like a sauna in there! Here in the Northeast it gets HHH (hazy, hot, and humid). The windows are a joke, you get no relief from them! And you will get a lot of trouble of you try to drive with the doors open unless you are in a parade. I consider the A/C essential, NOT a luxury. If it isn't working I am NOT driving the car!
DMC-81
09-17-2016, 10:52 AM
Speaking of driving without AC, my car doesn't have the system reconditioned yet, but I was able to drive the car in Florida's 100+ degree heat in July. The key was ceramic tint on the side windows and the windshield. Mind you, it was still pretty warm with the windows down and the vent fan on speed 4. I wouldn't let my wife endure that temp on a long drive, but I was not a wash of sweat. I tried driving it under similar conditions before I had the tint installed, and the cabin got too hot to be inside it for more than 10 minutes.

My point is that I can really recommend the ceramic tint, especially on the windshield. The installer asked me if I ever had a windshield tinted before. When I said no, he said " It will change your life". I laughed at the time, but now I know what he meant.

As others have mentioned, I anticipate the tint helping the A/C performance when I get that system restored.
kings1527
09-19-2016, 11:12 PM
https://cdn.meme.am/instances/31176037.jpg

That's absolutely true, as is the fact that I drove my car year round in Vegas for nearly 5 years with no A/C and can tell you that it's not nearly as bad as others let on.

No, it really is that bad. And then try telling your passenger as they're sweating like Ted Striker trying to land an airplane "hey, it's really not that bad in here. It's more like a dry heat", while you turn on the fan which feels more like walking into a hair dryer.