A/C Belt
 

Hey everyone... I'm sorry for such a basic couple of questions, but I can't find my manual. 1997 Eclipse, non-turbo (2.4 litter). My a/c belt broke.

1. What all does the a/c belt go to...a/c compressor, main pulley, and some little pulley. What is that little pulley? Can I still drive the car with no a/c belt?

2. Is there a tensioner/pulley on this engine that I can loosen and it lets me remove the belts? Is that what the little pulley is? Do I loosen up the alternator to remove it's belt? Do I loosen the brackets on the a/c compressor to remove/install a belt on it?

thank you for any responses..

RE: A/C Belt
 

dude the belt is like 10 bucks just go get a new one.
also there will be a bolt on the top of the tentioner lossen it and it will give ya slck to put the belt on than tighten it up.

RE: A/C Belt
 

I'm not concerned about the price of the belt. My concern is whether or not I can drive the car with the missing belt. The belt goes to the main pulley, compressor, and then a little pulley. I don't know what the little pulley is. Is that the tensioner?

RE: A/C Belt
 

it is above the compressor right and is just a wheel attached to a bracket if so than yes it is. also sould not hrt to drive with only the ac belt off but for a little bit but get it replaced asap.

RE: A/C Belt
 

You can drive it as long as you want with no A/C belt. People take the A/C off cars all the time for weight and power reasons. The less weight the better power/weight ratio. So if you don't mind riding with no A/C then don't worry about the belt. It's not hard to put a new one on either all you have to do is loosen the tensioner and slip it on. The alternator belt is kind of easy too. You loosen the alternator hinge bolt (Big bolt at the back of the alternator connecting it to the engine) then loosen the other little bolt on the alternator that connects it to the bracket and it should slide up giving you enough slack (Or do the Eclipses have the adjuster bolt that you have to keep backing off to loosen I don't remember)...