Hi,
From what we've been told by a mechanic friend, is that the AC compressor and or compressor clutch is seizing and causing the belt to smoke and obviously make some noise. Today my son started the car, heard a different noise under the hood, and then the noise stopped, but he found a broken belt.
Apparently the 01 Civic has four belts: timing, serpentine and two accessory belts. From what I understand, one of the accessory belts is for the power steering, and the other is for the AC and the alternator. He took it for a short drive and the steering was as usual and no AC, so I'm guessing it's the AC/alternator belt. If I were there I could check to see if the battery was charging while the engine was running as a double check.
Is there a way to take the AC out for the picture and replace the belt just to run the alternator? Ideally, he could drive the car here (he's three hours away) and I could work on it here.
Thanks for your time.

 

the only way would be to install an ac delete pulley if there's one available. if its a fairly straight shot from the main pulley to the alternator it would atleast work for that drive. there is a belt listed for a civic without ac but im not sure if it will fit. it could have an extra tensioner or something on a civic with ac

 

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.