The AC compressor has come away from the engine, it has damaged the chain housing and can not be reattached. can i remove the AC and install a new drive belt to run the other parts. the one i have tried would not run the water pump ??

 

Yes you can however we left the ac compresser in and just by passed it. My wife ac clutch went and at the price of the new one £400+ thought better off it. Its not an off the shelf belt you need (europarts, unipart can get them) i cant rember the size 122.5 or something, we ended up getting one trying it, popping back for another size to nail it down.

The belt runs close circa 10mm to itself so watch for wear/stretching as the tensioner will push it towards itself, but at £26 + fitting (neighbour did mine) it was a cheaper alternative. Heater still works and just ambient cold. If we keep the car next year may look for a secondhand ac unit.

If you do bypass this it will take probably a days work as you will need to try 5-6 belts to find the one you want, and possibly order it (next morning)

To fit and get back in the road about 1/2 hour.

good luck