Hi guys.

I just bought an 1988 B350. Before I bought it, the seller took it into his A/C shop and supposedly had it converted to the new A/C system.
Fast forward a week after I bought it, and I’m driving down the highway when I smell something burning. The steering became extremely loose so I pulled over. There’s radiator fluid all over the engine and 2/4 belts are missing.
I replaced the belts, but I realized the air pump pulley isn’t budging. When I started the van back up for about 15 seconds, it made a terrible squealing sound and the belt heated up.

Do I have to replace the Air Compressor? Would the conversion from the old to the new style freon be what killed it?
Thanks in advance!

 

It's just an air pump. Part of the emissions equipment. Nothing to do with A/C. You can bypass the pump, and simply not worry about it. I suspect finding a replacement, if you chose to go that route, would be problematic...... In all reality, I am surprised the pump lasted this long.

 

Is there any chance it could be the water pump?

 

Take off all the belts, and spin things by hand.

 

It doesn’t spin at all

 

What doesn't spin?

 

describe "it"

 

Sorry, I wrote air compressor. The air pump pulley doesn’t spin freely.

I took it off. A belt attaches to the air pump, fan, and main pulley. Can I leave it off?

 

Only if you have another belt to turn the fan.