We were driving and started hearing a sound like a belt squealing then this piece fell off one of the front wheels that hold on the serpentine belt while we were watching it. There appears to be a small piece missing on the front that holds it on, but it's nowhere to be found. I'm guessing is some sorry of tensioner? I'm in Chattanooga any ideas for a good mechanic in this area?

pics include the errant piece and the front of the piece it fell from, which was the lowest circle on the right hand side.

 

lol. thats your ac compressor clutch. looks like the bolt sheered. time for complete new compressor :-/ I've seen this on civics, but not an s2k.

 

Awesome. so I'm good if I don't run the ac? Do I need to be worried about the belt slipping off? Any idea on how much this might set me back? Just blew through all of my savings and money is tight right now.

 

if it were me id take the entire compressor out...youre going to need to run a shorter belt as well...im sure you can pick one up for a CR with A/C delete from your local dealership

 

im pretty sure the remaining portion is pressed on there. but i dont know how long it would stay like that for. you could just get a CR belt and leave it all there till you get money for a whole new compressor. they for for about 220 here in fl at the local parts store in refurb mode.

 

It can likely be just put back on.

You can run it like that with no problem, the bearing is isolated from the compressor.

Dont remove the compressor and devalue the car, especially down south.

 

Looks like either the threaded end of the compressor shaft snapped off or the nut came off of it.

If it's the former, then a new compressor is in your future as it probably locked up and broke the shaft when the clutch engaged

If the nut just came off, then it's a very easy fix---just put it back on----you'll need the nut and and likely the shim ---both run about $6. I would think the clutch (the part that you're holding in your hand) is still fine.

Here's a picture and the parts for an 2003 (not sure what year you have)

Items # 5 and 13.

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...2FC+COMPRESSOR


You can quickly tell by running your finger over the end of the shaft -if the shaft broke then the end wil be rough. If it's smooth on the end, then it likely the nut just came off. Or take a close up picture and post it on here.

Hope it's just the nut that came off!

 

is it possible that the belt was old/stretched and the extra slack caused this?

 

The compressor probably locked up

 

Listen to Billman. Why would you want to remove the compressor and then have to find a shorter belt to make everything else work? Just leave it till you get enough money to replace the thing. Even better, do what Billman said and extract the sheared bolt and replace it (never mind this part - it's a nut). Put the clutch back and you should be good to go. The other pulleys with lips will keep the belt running true until then. You can run it like that forever. You just won't have A/C. There is a possibility that something seized and that's why the nut came off. Have that checked.