belt jumping when a/c is on. *FIXED*
 

so summer is here and id like to use my a/c. i just recharged it and it blows cold. but when i turn the ac on the belt moves a good 1.5-2 inches up and down. i dont turn it on anymore for fear of busting my belt. i dont know how many belts are supposed to be under my hood but i only have 1 goin thru all the wheels and pulleys. is there any way of lubing up the a/c compressor(if thats what its called, not to sure) any1 else had this problem?

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

You need a new spring tensioner.

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

Check the belt and replace it if needed before looking into a new tensioner. If it's jumping that much, it's probably time for it to be replaced as the tensioner is probably maxed and that's what is making it jump. There is a scale on the tensioner as to where the arrow on it should be within limits of belt wear and temperature. I'd bet your arrow is off the scale to the right...

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

if by the scale you mean the grooves on the tensioner then yea its about half inch to far to the right. would that mean the belt is just to stretched or the tensioner is done for? kinda seemes like the belt would be to stretched out. do you guys know what size belt it uses?

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

Yep, it's time for a new belt... If the tensioner is off that far, you probably won't even need to open it to take the belt off. Just go to the parts store and tell them you need a belt for a V6 with AIR and A/C (if you have both, otherwise you will need one for a car without one or the other or both).

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

thanks. im gonna go get myself a belt right now. just 1 question. i always hear people talking about AIR what is that?

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

Emissions smog pump.

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

ic. thanks for pointing that out for me. im gonna go ahead and say since im california, i have one. im gonna go ahead and change the belt and let all you guys know how it goes. thanks for the help

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

Pretty much, all the 3.1s had AIR and a majority of the manual 2.8s did as well. Some auto 2.8s were equipped with AIR in the last couple of years (88-9), and some as part of a recall between 86-7.

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

thanks every1 for the help. you guys were right. it was the belt. all fixed now :D.

also! dont try changing the belt when the engine is hotttttttt. ouch. lol

Re: belt jumping when a/c is on.
 

Yep, when the engine is hot, so is the water pump, power steering, alternator, and the belt itself (friction with the pullies).