2012 escape 3.0 v6 ac compressor. The compressor is shot and making clunking noises when its running. I can pull the belt and the noise goes away. Is there a bypass pulley made for this year or has anyone tried removing the compressor and running a shorter belt? I just dont have the money right at the moment for replacing the compressor and recharge.

 

Maybe we can save you some $$$.

If the noise is there all the time and the request for A/C has not been made, simple clutch bearing.
If you only hear it when selecting A/C then it most likely is the compressor assy.
Might be cheaper to have the bearing replaced than changing the tensioner and cost of a different belt.

Can you get someone to take a quick look at it ?

 

The clutch externally isn't the issue. It definitely sounds internal. You can put your hand on the compressor and feel it thumping. The noise is there when ac is selected and not selected.

 

So we are on the same page.
If the clutch is not energized, nothing inside the compressor is supposed to move.
If you get the noise at this time , it 99% of the time is the pulley brg in the clutch pulley
Loosen belt, remove clutch assy , replace pulley brg and reassemble. It is that easy.
If the brg is really bad , you will think the compressor is the problem.

Here is how you can verify this.
Remove the belt, spin the clutch pulley ,if it produces any kind of noise or roughness,,,, it is only the bearing.
If the pulley spins freely and smoothly,and has no side ply, you could be looking at a bill you don't want to see.

 

Maybe what ill do is take a video of the sound its making. What your saying does make sense to me. When i did have the belt off spinning the pulley assembly it did make a whirling noise that indicates a bad bearing. This noise is a loud clunking noise. Not all the time or constant. It could start doing it for a few seconds and go away then come back. Almost reminds you of a bad bottom end bearing. But its not that its definitely coming from the compressor.