Belt Pulley Issues

[Dahmer]

So I've again been a little bit reckless, and pushing my very stock CR-V to new limits. I drove it through a great big mud puddle, and it did surprisingly well, considering my frame was sitting ontop of the ruts, the wheels were spinning in water, and I had to exit the vehicle via passenger window :P.

anyways here's the issue I had. immediately after getting it unstuck, my engine started making a whining noise. no overheating or excess inneficiency or anything, I ended up driving it for another 1000km until I got a new part that the shop had ordered for me (I was living in the stix). anyways he mentioned that it was my belt pulley because it was wobbling a lot (which it was.) so $350 later and I've got the new pulley... interestingly enough it stills whines, but I've gotten another 100km/tank, and it feels like I also gained about 20hp.

anyways, I feel like a bit of a noob and need someone a little more engine saavy to decipher what the hell just happened to my car.

I also figured out what happened to my air conditioning system (which broke a week after buying the thing) and apparently it's my idler pulley. the shop said the new part would be about 30 bucks or I could just cut the belt. any ideas there?

[+NISSAN+]

i am wondering how this idler pulley could be effecting the AC.. hmmm... the pulley probably started whining because it got packed full of mud or sand or whatever was in that puddle. not sure why the new one would be doing the same. maybe it's not the idler pulley but another one there.

[Dahmer]

alright so I've got one of those 3000 page manuals, and after a lot of studying I think I have found the problem. the crank pulley was just a nuisance, and I don't entirely regret spending the $350 to fix it, because I got more HP and efficiency.

I now thing the problem is only the idler pulley. I'm assuming the bearings are seized and I need to replace the pulley itself. I'm wondering if this is a difficult task to do, and if I can grab a part from any scrap honda of the same year like a civic or integra? there are also rumors that I can just cut that pulley because apparently it only runs the a/c, which is broken anyhow.

[tsmithvt]

Originally Posted by Dahmer

I now thing the problem is only the idler pulley. I'm assuming the bearings are seized and I need to replace the pulley itself. I'm wondering if this is a difficult task to do, and if I can grab a part from any scrap honda of the same year like a civic or integra? there are also rumors that I can just cut that pulley because apparently it only runs the a/c, which is broken anyhow.

True, if you really don't want/need the A/C. You might even gain a little because turning even a disengaged compressor clutch is a parasitic loss.

San Leandro Honda Online Parts
San Leandro Honda Online Parts

[+NISSAN+]

exchanging idler pulley is pretty simple. not sure if i'd get one from the j/y as that one will most likely be prone to breakage just like the one on your CRV already

[Dahmer]

Alright so now I have two options: keep the compressor or not keep the compressor. I'm always a fan of gaining some HP and efficiency, and I never use my A/C despite the heat anyways, so... is it actually as simple as cutting the belt? I'm looking at this diagram and the belt seems to only service the A/C compressor anyhow, so it sounds like a good idea to me. I've uploaded that image as well, and circled what I think is the idler pulley in red, and the A/C belt in Blue.

[Dahmer]

someone give me a hand?

[lizzurd]

This post shows how the belts come off.

Universal Belt

I have cut belts before....You may wan't to loosen off the belt tension first.

[Dahmer]

k so on a whim right before a quick 18 hour jog south, I cut the belt. the sound went away and no more issues (although I definately have no A/C now)