I'll offer a counter to P2B. I got the Dorman Bypass back in November 2022 when my AC compressor completely seized. I was broken down in mid-Minnesota, and I was facing at least $800 for a compressor. The service guy and I chatted and I had seen something while waiting for the tow about the AC Bypass, he said he was familiar and was willing to put it in for me. I also didn't go with a new compressor because from what i was told, when they go like that, they tend to dump metal bits into the AC lines. Even with cleaning up the lines, I was told there was a chance of bits still getting into it and wrecking it. So I really didn't see the point in spending nearly a grand on a new compressor. I mean sure, you could find a junk one that still spins, but you never know when it will go.
I had NO warning when the compressor seized.
I will agree, the bearing was noisy to start. However, I gave it a couple squirts of gear oil that I use for my motorcycle chain, and it quieted right down. Yes, you will need to find the bolts to fit... it was a shop that installed and fixed mine. When I get home I'll check the invoice and see if they put any size spec on it. I'm actually switching it from my original engine to my spare sometime this week... if I can't find the spec on paper, I'll picture and measure them.
My car got noisy before I did my timing belt, and I naturally assumed it was the Bypass... actually, it was one the timing belt roller just starting to go bad.
Honestly, I've had good luck with it. One note... it was originally designed for the Passat, so the pulley has 6 belt grooves, instead of the 5 that the ALH has. When you install the serp belt, it needs to closer to the fender, not the engine, so one groove will be "empty" on the engine side. If not, it will eat the edge of the belt within a few hundred KM. The shop didn't realize this, and honestly it probably slipped being noticed as it wasn't an immediate issue. They did pay for another belt while I was on the road.
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