You can identify a faulty A/C compressor belt pretty quickly by just listening to it. Malfunctioning compressor belts make a distinctive squealing sound. If you have the air conditioning on and hear strange noises from your car, they could be coming from a broken A/C compressor belt.
Visible Cracks and Wear
If you notice cracks, fraying, or signs of wear on the belt's surface, it's a clear indication that it needs replacement. Over time, exposure to heat, friction, and contaminants can degrade the belt's rubber material, compromising its effectiveness.
AC BELT REPLACEMENT PRICING
The average cost to replace your AC belt is $58 - $126. Pricing may vary based on the type of car you have, as well as the type of (and quality) auto shop that you go to. At NuBrakes, our technicians come to your office or home to do the repair.
You have to pull over and open the hood to see how bad the damage is after your belt has snapped with a powerful whip spinning around, the belt could crack your engine block or break the radiator to cause a leakage of antifreeze, and your AC will stop working immediately.
It's not a good idea to drive with a broken A/C compressor. While you can sometimes drive your vehicle with a broken A/C compressor without needing expensive repairs, it's not wise.
If the compressor is hard to turn or does not turn at all, the compressor has failed internally. If the compressor is seized or its clutch is not engaging, the system pressures will never rise above the static (engine off) pressure readings.
Plus, replacement is relatively easy, and if you're wondering how long does serpentine belt service take, it's less than an hour for most vehicles.
But if you have a bad A/C compressor, it's going to keep you from enjoying the drive. It can make it miserably hot inside, and it even has implications for safety while you're on the road. Getting the A/C compressor fixed should be a priority when it's failed, even though it's going to be costly.
Your car's belt system has two primary players: the serpentine belt that keeps components like the alternator, water pump, and air conditioning compressor running, and the timing belt that synchronizes the crankshaft and camshaft for optimal combustion timing.
If the serpentine belt is not functioning properly, it can prevent the power steering pump and air conditioning compressor from operating.
While the vehicle's air conditioner will operate without a functioning AC belt, it is not recommended. The issue becomes more critical in the winter if you have to set the heater to a defrost mode. If you don't have experience repairing your AC belt, you may consider contracting a professional to handle it.
Typically, serpentine belts last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles. Over time, friction and heat break them down.
A serpentine belt replacement is an essential part of routine auto maintenance, but it doesn't have to be difficult. Get the parts you need from AutoZone.
If, on inspection, you hear chattering, whining, squealing, chirping, or rattling sounds coming from the AC compressor, it is time for AC service. Sometimes the commotion only erupts when you engage the AC switch. Some noises remain constant. Compressor noises result from either a faulty clutch or a seizing shaft.
With proper maintenance, a car AC compressor can last an average of 10-15 years. Keep in mind that this is a general estimate and can vary based on factors such as the make and model of your car, how often you use the AC, and the quality of maintenance it receives.
The compressor belt connects your car's compressor to the engine. A broken belt can't power the compressor, causing your air conditioning to fail. If you suspect that your car's A/C compressor belt is failing, listen closely for odd screeching noises while driving.
If you do notice your belt needs replacing, you can do it yourself if you're mechanically minded and have the time. It'll take about 1 or 2 hours, but they're relatively inexpensive and straightforward to repair.
Driving with a locked-up A/C compressor can cause damage to your engine due to overheating or misaligned belts that can lead to other engine parts failing more quickly than they should.
Generally speaking, to have a shop properly change an AC compressor and related components, flush, and re-fill the AC system will run between $750 – 1500.00. Depending on the model and cost of the parts in general, this cost could be even higher.
You could pull the a/c clutch relay or fuse, or unplug the wire connector from the compressor, do disconnect the compressor clutch electrically. If it still stays on, then it has mechanically failed, sort of friction welded itself to the other half of the pulley.