Debating on P/S delete. - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

sully06 · 06-23-2013, 08:31 PM

I have a 99 Camry 2,2 automatic and I'm debating on removing the belt to my power steering pump. I've read some info on it already if I do it I'm just removing the belt not the pump in case I want to go back to it. I'm trying to get to 40 mpg so far my best tank is 35. Will the p/s delete net me least 1 mpg? more or less? Its should only take about a half hour I have to jack the car up remove tire and the other belt as the p/s belt is behind it. I've also been looking for a shorter belt to bypass the a/c come fall but not luck as of yet. Most vehicles were available without a/c so a shorter factory belt should be available. Thanks for any input.

Sporty Modder · 06-23-2013, 09:19 PM

I haven't noticed a differance in fe with my Celica, though I have not done any serious testing. My car is light enough that I don't need power steering, but my truck is. Removing the belt is a good idea to try it out.
Please report your findings.

2000mc · 06-23-2013, 09:26 PM

if it is as reversible as putting a belt on or off, just try it. it will undoubtedly reduce fuel consumption. i think its more a matter of how you like driving the car w/o p/s, whether you save .5 or 3.5 mpg

sully06 · 06-23-2013, 09:28 PM

Will do! Wish I had a scan gauge to really see the numbers hopefully soon! Yeah I have a 400 mile trip coming up next month and I'm trying to do what I can to try and get close to 40 mpg

sully06 · 06-23-2013, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000mc

if it is as reversible as putting a belt on or off, just try it. it will undoubtedly reduce fuel consumption. i think its more a matter of how you like driving the car w/o p/s, whether you save .5 or 3.5 mpg

Yeah I don't think it will bother me but if I don't see at least 1 mpg I'll probably put the belt back on.

JRMichler · 06-23-2013, 09:30 PM

I have no trouble engine off coasting through a parking lot, even when steering lock to lock. The steering would be even better if I disconnected the pump and looped the hoses. I'll probably do that someday if I get serious about getting my summer average up to 40 MPG.

Removing the belt from the A/C won't save anything because the pulley freewheels when the A/C is not on. Many cars will automatically turn the A/C on when you select Defrost, however that can be defeated by a fuse pull.

sully06 · 06-23-2013, 09:50 PM

.

Removing the belt from the A/C won't save anything because the pulley freewheels when the A/C is not on. Many cars will automatically turn the A/C on when you select Defrost, however that can be defeated by a fuse pull.[/QUOTE]

You don't think it would help any? So what you are saying is it acts like an idler pulley when the a/c is off? One day I will also delete the alternator then I won't need any belts haha

JRMichler · 06-23-2013, 09:53 PM

Right, the A/C clutch pulley is just an idler when the A/C is not being run.

And other people have done alternator deletes to the last little bit of MPG.

Be careful about removing belts, your engine NEEDS the water pump.

sully06 · 06-23-2013, 10:23 PM

I don't think my water pump is run by a belt. One belt has a/c and alternator and the other has p/s only

2000mc · 06-23-2013, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sully06

Yeah I don't think it will bother me but if I don't see at least 1 mpg I'll probably put the belt back on.

If it didn't bother you at all, why put it back on if it only saved a tenth of a mpg?

Without doing an a-b-a test I don't think i would be able to spot a 1mpg improvement. without any other changes my mileage has changed about 5mpg this summer vs last winter