our 1989 Chv Tracker sounds like it's purring when it's idle. It will rev up high then cut out to the propper idle then rev up again etc. Could this be an oxygen sensor that is not working propperly? will the problem come up in code form when plugged into the computer? Thanks guys :)

Ok, same ole story. A friend of mine calls me up. his trucks broke, no clue what the problem is. Told me it's been squeking for awhile. I have him try to turn it over and it tries to, has the power to, but can't turn it.... something is locked up. my first thought, I check the oil.... none. He has not checked or changed it in 10,000 miles. *sigh* After a long lecture: I pour some mystery oil, and top it off with some napa oil. I pull off the serpentine belt, click the selenoid and wala... fires up. Engine isn't locked up, runs like a champ. 5.4 V8 triton btw. Kill the motor, and I can manually turn everything by hand, the power steering, the water pump, the alternator, tensioner spins. Only thing I can't turn is the drive shaft (duh) and the wheel for the AC. After putting the belt back on and a few clicks to see what'll happen, the drive shaft does indeed move an inch when we try to start the truck. obvious assessment, bad ac, either clutch or compressor.... locked up either way. $300+ for the new unit, he can't afford it, and I'm tired of picking him up for work. so (finally) to my question. Is there some way I can use a different serpentine belt, and if neccesary, a different tensioner to run the truck without turning the ac? The guys at Napa told me for this truck, 99 f150 xlt, 5.4 V8 triton, that you CANNOT. I've done it on older trucks. any advice, any wisdom? seems a pity the AC (which is totally non essential) is killing this truck. many thanks in advance, Drew