Removing aircon compressor drive belt?

[ajl655]

Hi all,

My 04 Vectra 1.9 CDTI 120 estate is making a whining noise that is dependent on engine speed, in gear or neutral. Thanks to a post on here it's been narrowed down to probably being the aircon compressor. Apparently if I remove the drive belt for this then the noise should disappear, can anybody advise on how to go about this? Is it a home job or am I better off getting a garage to check it out?

Thanks

[Marky]

Its a relatively easy job to do.
The hardest bit is finding a socket and hadle that is A) long enough and B) small enough to fit between the wheel arch and the aux belt tensioner nut.

1) Turn the wheels to the right so that the inside of the wheel arch is exposed. You can then remove the access panel in the wheel arch. Its three TX25 screws.
2) Take out the airbox.
3) Look and feel the aux belt. record how its is routed over the various pulleys. You can look from the top of the engine and through the wheel arch access panel.
4) Now the hard bit. As there isn't much room for a socket set to get in. You need a 15mm socket. locate the Aux Belt tensioner pulley. There is a big 15mm nut on it. Its just below and behind the engine mount. Pull the socket arm towards you and it will loosen the aux belt. Now whilst holding the tension you can release the belt off the alternator and remove it all the way around.
5) Replace the pulley by routing it back the original way but leave the alternator until last.
6) Release the tension on the aux belt tensioner as before and route the belt over the alterbator pulley.
7) Follow the belt and check its on all the pulleys correctly. Look from above and check that the pulley is aligned on all the pulleys.
8) You can start the engine now and check that the belt doesn't wobble, but you will get an dash error as the MAF is not connected.
9) Replace airbox and access panel.


It is an easier job than it sounds.
If you get a new belt make sure is a genuine VX one. They are only a few quid more than aftermarket ones.
I bought a gates belt when we changed the cam belt and it squeaked still.
Bought a genuine VX one and the squeak went away.

[ajl655]

Thanks for that info. Is it ok then to run the car with the aux belt off? I just want to establish whether the compressor is where the noise is coming from, then the belt will be going straight back on.