Remove AC belt

My Tacoma, a 2003 V6, squeals most mornings when I start it. Also the AC stopped blowing cold last summer. Also also there’s sometimes a whiny/buzzy noise coming from the engine when I’m shifting.

I’m thinking it’s some trauma relating to the AC and was wondering if removing the AC belt until I get around to dealing with the heart of the issue will cause any problems. To be completely honest, I was thinking of just cutting that belt off for the winter and looking into the fix in the spring when I use the truck less.

So the question is, will I do any harm to the engine by running with just two out of the three belts?

 

your compressor is probably shot. Same thing happened to a friend's Camry. I am not familiar with 1st gen motors, but on my Acura I cut the belt, and nothing went wrong. Check to see if the belt runs anything else.

 

Mine had no belt an the AC when i bought it. It was like that for a couple of years until I replace AC compressor this summer without any problems. The belt only runs the AC.

 

Excellent. That’s what I figured but wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something obvious.

After reading a bunch of “Fixed my AC” posts, I realize the big fix is definitely a job for another time. Probably the same time I get around to doing the timing belt and water pump.

For today, however, I can fix the noise with the swipe of a knife.

 

No harm will be done by removing/cutting belt as stated. If anything will free up drag caused by rotating compressor/pulley.

 

so long as its not also running the alternator or powersteering pump.

 

Agreed. If it had a serpentine belt wouldn't work unless you got a delete kit but has individual belts.

 

When I bought my truck it had no A/C belt. Compressor was shot and I have since put it back on, but it ran fine without it.