Can I cut the ac belt?

[jimsgsx]

I have no plans on using ac and eventually will remove it once I learn how. Can I just cut the belt and take it off for now?

 

[Dsmkauai]

If you really want to and don't care about keeping the belt, it won't hurt anything.

 

[Sjd6795]

You can but there is no reason to. Unless you have the AC on the compressor is just free turning. Literally no restriction at all. Removing the AC is fairly simple though just remove the radiator and all the AC lines by removing all the brackets and then remove the lines at the condenser and AC pump. You should be able to pull everything out then. If you have a AWD the AC bracket will need to be left on there or cut so your axle can still go through it. FWD don't have the axle going through the AC bracket.

Note: Cover the engine bay with cardboard then unscrew the AC line at the firewall(passenger side) it will spray out for around 15 seconds. Open the door so you're not standing in there with it and soon as it starts spraying out run the F*** away from the car or you will get light headed and probably pass out.

 

[Will_emo2007]

x1 on run the f*** away it Will give u the worst headache u ever had breathing it.

 

[jimsgsx]

Ok. Thanks for the information and the heads up on the ac line. I would probably be found face down passed out and totally freak the wife out.

 

[dsmcrzy]

Best bet is to take it to a shop and have them drain the freon the correct way.

It is illegal and dangerous to release freon to the environment by just unscrewing it and running away.

 

[jonathanfl]

100% illegal to let Freon out like that, and if you have a neighbor that doesn't like you you might be looking at a huge fine while they get reward money turning you in.

Recover it properly then rip the system out if you don't want it

 

[athlete3344]

Note, whatever you do, do not release freon to the atmosphere. This is terrible advice and goes against the nature of these forums. Instead, recover it properly like other users have already mentioned.

 

[ervin00]

If you go to a shop and have the Freon recovered they will actually pay you for it.
And to answer your question yes you can cut the belt and remove it since the ac is the only thing that belt runs.

 

[cloead]

Cut that a/c belt! Don't discharge freon to the atmosphere. Just wait a few years.. if it hasn't already it's probably on its way to emptying itself.

 

[RamenPride]

You can but there is no reason to. Unless you have the AC on the compressor is just free turning. Literally no restriction at all.

I wouldn't say no restriction at all. There's good amount of tension on the crank pulley from the a/c belt even when the compressor's not engaged/running. Regardless, you'll probably notice only a small difference, if any, running without the a/c belt.

 

[jimsgsx]

Hey thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. I figured anything done to your car that involves running away cannot be good. I am going to take it in and have them drain it. The ac does not blow cold at all but better safe then sorry.