Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Cussboy on Tue July 07, 2015 2:21 PM

Year: 2005
Make: GMC
Model: Yukon
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Country of Origin: United States

Over the weekend, the AC compressor belt broke on Mrs. Cusser's 2005 GMC Yukon, 38 months old (Gates belt, 2 months past warranty). That belt was not lost, and did not show any abrasion or heat or slipping issues due to a seized compressor, and after it all cooled (because I'm a wimp and didn't want to get burned) I spun by hand the AC idler, AC pulley, and the AC compressor center, and all spun normally. The belt was broken clean apart crosswise, do I just chalk this up to Arizona heat and wear and tear?

Anyway, I bought a replacement Gates belt for $26, took off the "regular" serpentine belt, installed the new AC belt, then the the "regular" serpentine belt, and then replaced the plastic covers. And the AC seems to work fine.

So normal wear and tear? We've had this Yukon since 2010, so don't know if the previous belt was original or not; that belt was just all cracked and dry, so why I replaced that 38 months ago.

TRB on Tue July 07, 2015 3:42 PM

When i had the shop i like to change out belts every summer.

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When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

AC_Doc on Tue July 07, 2015 4:08 PM

Cusser,

A while back GM Tech did a dissertation (with a video example) on this GM belt problem. Seems that in this configuration the tensioner vibrates in normal operation and the AC belt gets misaligned and thrown off (and broken?).

I've replaced the tensioner on several Silverados with a genuine GM part, and the problem remains.

AC_Doc


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Sometimes you must accept things at faith value!

Cussboy on Wed July 08, 2015 7:24 AM

Thanks TRB and AC Doc. So 3 years does not seem to be abnormal life, or a signal that something bad is about to happen.

TRB - the compressor I picked up last October at your Clarendon shop for my 1988 Mazda B2200 truck is still humming along fine !!!

TRB on Wed July 08, 2015 12:47 PM

Good to hear.

I think in our heat. Changing hoses and belts every year is required. Might be a little over cautious. But I would rather have new belts and hoses. Then be standing on the I10 when it is 115.



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When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

Edited: Wed July 08, 2015 at 12:48 PM by TRB