Air-conditioner removal

My 2000 Vauxhall Vectra B 1.8 with the XE18E1 engine has been sitting for four years. The aircon condenser is really saggy and does not look like it would survive in use much longer, and I would hazard a guess the compressor has dried out.

Have you or anyone you know ever removed the air-conditioner on one of these cars? I have looked on online forums and some owners recommend simply fitting the shorter non-aircon belt, but unless the tensioner doesn’t push as far with the shorter belt, I can’t see it clearing the engine mounting. As you probably know, the belt runs through the engine mounting bracket on the Vauxhall 1.8 engine. Also, what about the electric current going to the compressor?

Geoff Martin

The electric current going to the compressor would not be a problem. This is only the current used to engage the magnetic clutch, which would no longer be needed. The plug could quite happily be removed and taped up out of the way.

I do not believe that fitting a shorter belt would be possible without altering the engine mounting, but I have never tried this nor seen a vehicle where it has been done. If you did try this method the belt needed would be a 6PK1530 (Gates number); the current belt should be a 6PK1803. The 6PK part refers to the width of the belt and the number of grooves, while the second part is the length. The tensioner for variations either with or without air-conditioning is the same, indicating that it may well be possible to simply fit the shorter belt.

The alternative is to leave the air-conditioning pump in place and disconnect the electrical feed to the magnetic clutch. Providing the outer pulley is freewheeling, the condition of the pump itself is irrelevant.