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can i operate vehicle with ac clutch removed (2001 ford mustang)

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 2:08 pm
by jaymerjaymer
howdy
am in the process of replacing clutch.
mechanical failure is causing it to rub pully/make friction.
so i removed it.
pully & belt fine. compressor not locked up.

pully still has the snap ring, so i'm wondering if the clutch is mandatory for operation of engine?
can or will the pully come off without the clutch (and bolt) in place?

thx

Re: can i operate vehicle with ac clutch removed (2001 ford mustang)

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 2:38 pm
by tbirdtbird
Sounds like you removed the AC fan belt temporarily.
You can replace the belt for now with a shorter belt, and bypass the AC pulley. The operation of the AC compressor has nothing to do with the running of the engine.

Re: can i operate vehicle with ac clutch removed (2001 ford mustang)

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:34 pm
by jaymerjaymer
i only removed the clutch.
pulley/belt still as normal.
runs fine.

need to drive temporarily while waiting on a new clutch.

Re: can i operate vehicle with ac clutch removed (2001 ford mustang)

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 2:32 am
by GM Tech
Drive it!!!

Re: can i operate vehicle with ac clutch removed (2001 ford mustang)

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 4:54 am
by DetroitAC
You can drive it indefinitely without the clutch plate. The compressor pulley is an idler pulley.

Re: can i operate vehicle with ac clutch removed (2001 ford mustang)

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:50 am
by jaymerjaymer
thx !