Just sumptin real quick. Was driveing home this morning and started hearing this whumping sound. I pull into the driveway and its replaced buy a huge howel and smoke. I was like nooooo. Pop the hood and i can touch cuz its hot. Cuz its a subaru ya know. Anyways the smoke clears and the belt for the ac snaped off phew (hush mick). So i didnt notice anything but the ac pully and a tensioner running off this belt. Is it ok to leave it off or is there something i havent noticed in the midnight air.

 

Ben

Its ok to leave it off of there. I had the tentioner sieze up on the belt 3 or 4 years ago, I just removed the belt and the tentioner and haven't had a problem yet.

It shortens the outer belt's life. The AC compressor pulley does not turn, no matter how tight you tighten the belt by itself. In turn, the AC will never have a chance in working if that inner belt is gone.

 

I also noticed my power steering pump started growling after 6 months of running with one belt, but it may not have been related.

 

Could just get another, or put new bearings in your old one. But be careful, that pulley shatters easily :-\

(hush mick).

Ben