More excitement from Frau Blukar. Just as I am reveling in finally getting the rear mainseal replaced and having a non leaking brick, the AC took a dump last night.

Not sure if its the clutch or compressor itself, but things are not spinning. Given the time of year, I would just do without, but the power steering is driven off the AC compressor. She is drivable, but slow speed turning takes some effort.

Has anyone tried to bypass that setup with a belt running around the water pump, crank pully, and power steering pump? That would leave a single belt driving the alternator. Did it work? If so, can someone tell me the belt size?

We are right at 295K and I am determined to get 300K, if not more. Its running great and, aside from being ugly, might last a while yet.

Moving the pulley works on the B210 cars up to 1984. Mine is an 89 with a B230. The pump is mounted in a bracket that also holds the AC. It would be a pretty big job to fabricate a new mount from scratch.

Looking carefully at the thing, the power steering pump is in the same plane as the inner alternator pulley. Problem is, there is a bulge in the timing belt cover that would be in the way of a belt running to the pump.

Anybody got an AC compressor laying around for an 89 240?

http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-200/Heating-&-Cooling/Air-Conditioning-Compressor-Bypass-Kit/p-69-261-172/

Not that you need to spend 60 buck for this, but I've seen this on IPD and it seems like a good idea. Basically you need to move the PS pulley forward and then run a longer belt to the front most groove on the crankshaft pulley. I bet with some tinkering you could get a setup like this up working for less than $20

the pdf linked to that product notes the longer belt is 13 x 1165, but that may var b/w years? It's a number to start with...The new bolts are listed as 30mm, but theres no indication of precisely how thick the spacer is...

Happy wrenching!
K

I ran my 86 off one of the water pump grooves when the compressor locked up out in the middle of nowhere.

Ran it that way for a few months until I could get down to the PUP and pull one.

So yes it can be done.

Regards,

Paul