Aircon compressor removal

[Slick1474]

Hi, I need to remove my aircon compressor from my 2010 XC60 D5. I see it has a separate third belt as the aircon does not run directly off the auxiliary belt but off a double wheel driven by the auxiliary belt. The question is how do I release the tension in this aircon belt or remove the belt so I can then remove the compressor after removing the three 10mm socket retaining bolts from below?

I have already had the gas removed.

[Slick1474]

ok, so with no feedback I thought after taking the auxiliary belt off the only way I could imagine to get the aircon belt off was to pull it to the side while turning the sprockets so rib by rib it moved off the aircon sprocket. This put the belt under a bit more tension but it eventually came off.

It went back on the same way but with a bit more effort to get it started. On the outside auxiliary belt sprocket and then got it onto the aircon sprocket, then moved the belt over to the aircon sprocket directly behind the auxiliary belt sprocket.

Read somewhere is was a bit elasticated? so we will see when I get the new auxiliary belt & tensioner on if it makes any noise.

I did this to replace the aircon control valve as the aircon was working intermittently and this was hopefully the culprit after some investigation as per the parts picture attached.

[JGEM]

How did your AC repair go? Did you have to empty the gas from the system and regas the system for your control valve repair?

I am living with a really irritating intermittent whine from my AC compressor. I can get a used replacement compressor from a wrecker and have pondered changing mine but I'm put off by the gas side of things (and a general lack of AC experience) Quite a few 40 degrees C plus days recently so I'm just grateful that it works well as regards cooling things down. (well my wife is actually, as she drives the XC60 the most lately)

Dealer wants $1800 to replace the compressor, but can't justify the money on an 8 year old car so living with it as is. In fact yesterday spent approx the same amount of money on a booking for a 5 day Milford Track walk in Jan 2018 instead which seems a much better use of the money....