Hello! I am a college student away from my father who usually does all my engine work for me...

Quick question... On my 2002 Honda Civic, the compressor unit is making a horrible noise, a grinding noise... I don't have the money to fix it and I have to be able to drive my car back home after my last semester in college (roughly 700 miles...) If I remove the belt that runs the compressor unit, will my engine still run fine? I realize I won't have A/C, but thats not an issue. I just want my car to run! I have done some research, and I have found that with older models of the Civic, this would be fine... And it LOOKS like it would be fine... But I want to make sure before I try it!

Tell me what you think...

Lauren

 

You should be fine. Just make sure that the alternator and power steering still have their belt.

 

If you have 1.7 l engine, the belt powers AC and alternator. Not sure if you could put an alternator only belt and have it clear the compressor clutch pulley.

 

In truth they have, or can make a belt for anything. Just go to the parts store and tell them your model with no A/C. They should have it as some of the 7th gens have no A/C.

 

Yeah, didn't think of that. May be easier to just remove the whole compressor assembly and throw it in the trunk.

 

Looks like the belt powering the alternator only should clear the compressor clutch. If you are planning to repair your compressor clutch in the future, leave the compressor on and save having to get your system evacuated and recharged with refrigerant.