Can i use a smaller serpentine belt if i bypass the air conditioning unit?

That isn't the way to do it. You should have a bypass pulley, which keeps the route and the angles and the same length belt.

Details of bypass and the serpentine belt diagram in the link

https://www.google.com/search?q=2006+Nissan+Altima.+Serpentine+belt+diagram+no+air+conditioning&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiT2pXX38H0AhWQsHIEHZE8ARMQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=2006+Nissan+Altima.+Serpentine+belt+diagram+no+air+conditioning&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoHCCMQ7wMQJ1CQGliJTmC4aWgBcAB4AIABa4gBnwiSAQQxMi4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=0femYdOtEpDhytMPkfmEmAE&bih=937&biw=1920&rlz=1C1QJDB_enCA643CA644

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Here's a link to the diagram with a/c and without,maybe the belt without ac will work. SAVE 20 GET 10 GIFT CARD ON ONLINE SHIP TO HOME ORDERS OVER 100 Here's another belt diagram. 2000 Ford Ranger Serpentine Belt Routing and Timing Belt Diagrams

The do make a belt that will work you. See link below:
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/8483/115286-auxiliary-serpentine-drive-belt-for-models-without-air-conditioning-850-s70-v70-c70

Install new belt only on driverside of engine. 55 1/4" belt with 6 groves....slide on to water pump pulley last its kinda tight..

you will have to replace the ac compressor with an idler pully and you should be able to use same belt

Hi,

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What you are looking for is called an 'air conditioner compressor bypass pulley'. Most chain auto parts stores have them in stock.

All you do is install the bypass pulley and use a shorter belt.

The only downside is the cost of $25-$40. That's about one-third the cost of a remanufactured unit and the labor is compatible.

All the best

Ben

The serpentine belt is meant to run everything at once. it is a tricky situation trying to bypass a pulley. If the pulley is located at the bottom of the serpentine relay, you should be able to buy a shorter belt and bypass the A/C, but make sure to incorporate the water pump or you're asking for a seized engine. It may or may not be possible. i did it on an 89 Escort, but it was simple and the A/C was located at the bottom of the serpentine cycle. The original belt was 23" and the new belt was 19". Just make sure to wrap the belt around the water pump as it probably runs your timing belt as well.

you can but it is a lot of work. many pulley changes bracket changes. you have to find the same engine that does not have AC and take all needed parts off of that. it is not worth it. consider just going to a salvage yard and getting a used compressor. it doesnt even have to work, it just has to have good bearings. it would be a lot less work going this route. any questions, reply back

You need to get the belt that is for your car without air conditioning. The belt designed for a car with air conditioning will always be too long. You can't cut it or shorten it. You need the other belt.

No. There is a tensioner pulley which controls the tightness of a serpentine belt. In addition, the belt travels a specific path. Bypassing the air conditioning compressor not only requires a different size belt, it would require rerouting the belt and omitting one component would mess up the travel of the belt and may actually result in reversing the rotation of some of the components that the belt turns. In addition, the belt tensioner is designed specifically for that length and size of belt. You would most likely affect the belt tension, which would result in slippage or overtightness. Overtightness on the bearings of the devices the belt controls will cause that unit to sieze.