flat nose 2003 International air compressor replacement help

[SweetNobodies323]

Hey everyone, looking for some help here. I am taking a L for learning as I have made a mistake.

I was removing my AC units which I have done successfully except I removed the air compressor and realized that the belt was connected to the engine and seems to have been a key component of making the bus start. I have the compressor removed and am considering either putting it back in and capping the tube holes properly or installing an idler to the bracket that was holding the compressor to replace it and replacing the belt for a shorter belt.

Either way I see I have made a painstakingly amount of work for myself but you live and you learn. From what I understand in order to remedy this issue, I will need to open the front of the bus to remove the radiator section that is in front of the engine fan, remove the fan and put the belt back on. This requiring to drain some coolant in order to detach that front part. It did kinda seem that I could unbolt the radiator screen in front and that was actually not attached to the tank but i will find out for sure when I go to work on it.

If anyone has any insight I will gladly appreciate it as I've seen some post but not really seeing a clear cut answer as everyone has different a/c air compressor situations. I am also curious as to why you're able to take some out and it not effect anything and why this one is different.

If I do keep the compressor does anyone know how to close off the hoses?

 

[ewo1]

The bigger mistake was removing that powerful a/c unit but oh well...
If your never, ever gonna use the compressor again then don't even worry about capping it off. cut the power wires to the compressor so clutch will never activate.
You can cap the ports of with just about anything so more dirt don't get inside.

To find out what size belt you need, grab a piece of thin rope, remove old belt and then route the rope as if it were not your new belt. With a marker mark the spot where the rope comes back onto itself. Take that to napa, they will measure it and hand you a new belt. Make sure you make a small allowance for your belt tensioner on the engine...or call the dealer and ask them what is the part number for a non a/c belt for your engine serial number. I myself went the napa route.

although I kept my a/c unit I do carry a spare a/c and a non a/c belt in my bus, just in case.

I have a rear engine bus, dt466e engine and on my bus, you DO NOT have to remove the fan shroud or remove anything else to get the belt out. You just have to fish it around the fan blades.

 

[Ronnie-SKO]

No need to take the compressor off, as long as the clutch on it is not engaged. That only engages when you ask for air conditioning, so just pull the fuse on the ac. However you should be able to get a belt for non ac.

As far as it not starting I suspect you bumped or pulled some other wires in the process. The wire to the crankshaft sensor is the most likely, and it will not start without it.

What engine do you have? I am guessing the 5.9 cummins?

 

[SweetNobodies323]

The bigger mistake was removing that powerful a/c unit but oh well...
If your never, ever gonna use the compressor again then don't even worry about capping it off. cut the power wires to the compressor so clutch will never activate.
You can cap the ports of with just about anything so more dirt don't get inside.

To find out what size belt you need, grab a piece of thin rope, remove old belt and then route the rope as if it were not your new belt. With a marker mark the spot where the rope comes back onto itself. Take that to napa, they will measure it and hand you a new belt. Make sure you make a small allowance for your belt tensioner on the engine...or call the dealer and ask them what is the part number for a non a/c belt for your engine serial number. I myself went the napa route.

although I kept my a/c unit I do carry a spare a/c and a non a/c belt in my bus, just in case.

I have a rear engine bus, dt466e engine and on my bus, you DO NOT have to remove the fan shroud or remove anything else to get the belt out. You just have to fish it around the fan blades.

I already took the compressor out, so its either put it back in and replace the belt and clamp the holes or put and idler on it.

So just like a rubber cap on the back on the ports is good enough?

 

[SweetNobodies323]

No need to take the compressor off, as long as the clutch on it is not engaged. That only engages when you ask for air conditioning, so just pull the fuse on the ac. However you should be able to get a belt for non ac.

As far as it not starting I suspect you bumped or pulled some other wires in the process. The wire to the crankshaft sensor is the most likely, and it will not start without it.

What engine do you have? I am guessing the 5.9 cummins?

I already took it off . I have a flat nose dt466 in the front.

Either way the belt is attached to the engine so i feel like it needs to go back?

 

[ewo1]

Well like i said, you might be able to fish the belt off the fan blades, so no disassembly required ...?

 

[SweetNobodies323]

Well like i said, you might be able to fish the belt off the fan blades, so no disassembly required ...?

Ohhhh got you got you from the inside of the bus hopefully the fan is not connected to the radiator. Ok I will try that. Thank you!

 

[ewo1]

Ohhhh got you got you from the inside of the bus hopefully the fan is not connected to the radiator. Ok I will try that. Thank you!

Yes, the fan is bolted to the engine. You can simply thread the fan belt around each fan blade. the fan will spin easily. Make sure please, no keys in the ignition switch!

To replace simply reverse the process. the only thing you need to be aware of is the tensioner pully. when you take the belt off the pulley spring will moe the pulley wheel in tighter. Technically you can use a ratchet/breaker bar to move/swing it "open" I did mine just using my hand.

I highly suggest that once the belt is off, try moving the tensioner by hand. If you find it real easy to do that is a sign that the tensioner spring is worn out and it would be a good idea to replace it. it should have a considerable amount of tension on it.
Just a couple of bolts, radiator and fan shroud, in my bus was not an issue. did not have to remove it.

 

[SweetNobodies323]

Yes, the fan is bolted to the engine. You can simply thread the fan belt around each fan blade. the fan will spin easily. Make sure please, no keys in the ignition switch!

To replace simply reverse the process. the only thing you need to be aware of is the tensioner pully. when you take the belt off the pulley spring will moe the pulley wheel in tighter. Technically you can use a ratchet/breaker bar to move/swing it "open" I did mine just using my hand.

I highly suggest that once the belt is off, try moving the tensioner by hand. If you find it real easy to do that is a sign that the tensioner spring is worn out and it would be a good idea to replace it. it should have a considerable amount of tension on it.
Just a couple of bolts, radiator and fan shroud, in my bus was not an issue. did not have to remove it.

I was able to put the compressor back and put the belt back on around the fan. Thank you so much for your help. Bus needed new batteries as well but everything is running better than before.