Okay, is it possible to drive the car without the belt routed to the ac compressor?

David,

Thank you for all the inputs you've given. I really appreciate them. I will now try to make some room (removing the fan shroud) to see if I can remove the pulley out of the compressor.

Yes, most cars have the AC on a separate belt. No problem driving with that removed. My (cheap) old man used to drive for years with the belt removed...

Sorry if this is obvious, but do you know there is a plastic tensioner pulley for the AC belt that is near the compressor but not on the compressor?

Guess what?! It's not the AC compressor! It's the power steering pulley! My bad, and you were right about that question. :thumbup:

When I initially looked under the hood, I thought it was the AC compressor pulley since it was under it where I found the pulley debris. And when I finally removed the fan shroud and fan clutch this afternoon, I was surprised to see that the AC compressor pulley was fine!

Now, I can go ahead and order a power steering pulley replacement on eBay and install it myself.

This is really good news!

Thanks again to all the folks who helped. You guys are amazing!

you can.. but guess what..compressor shaft is bent by now. also there is no way to get used pulley. used compressor 100$... +discharge/recharge..so why risk it..

Like someone mentioned, the shaft might be bent, better to order a pump with the pulley already installed.

Are you talking about the AC compressor or power steering pump?

Variable displacement and non-variable displacement compressors both have a magnetic clutch for the E53.