Today we traveled from Amarillo to Wichita Falls TX. As we prepared to leave Amarillo, I heard a noise and saw some dust at rear of coach. I walked back and looked it over, and since we were on a concrete pad with gravel between and around, I assumed it was wind gust that kicked up some dust. Everything worked all ok on trip, but we did get a little warm so I turned on roof AC two and ran it also. We stopped for the day at Wichita Falls, so as I was making sure we were in our spot ok, I found a section of serpentine belt hung up on tow hitch. OK now I know what caused that sound and puff of dust as we were leaving Amarillo. I as I watch all my instruments as I drive, nothing was out of the ordinary and all was ok. It appears that the belt for the Dash AC compressor is all by itself. My question is should I replace the belt before I finish my trip or will it be ok to run it another 300 miles or so after running it 220 today.
If you don't need the dash A/C and that's the only thing that belt runs, you are fine to run without it.
yes, that is what I thought. I have a new engine belt, so I hate to remove the current engine belt to put on a used generator belt. I would rather wait to install a new generator belt and replace the engine belt at the same time. So I would have both new belts.
Is it possible that the compressor is frozen and that is what caused the belt to break?
Try and turn the AC compressor by hand.
Yes, it is frozen. It is obvious on closer examination this morning. Not only is it frozen, but there is quite a bit belt residue (burnt) in the grooves of the compressor pulley. Looks like I need a new AC compressor also. Thanks for the heads up.
I put some pressure on the pulley without going Rambo and I cannot get it to rotate any. Not sure how or if the clutch works.
That pulley should spin freely as long as the clutch is disengaged...unplug it to be certain a relay isn't hung up and you can confirm.