Alright guys, I'm in the process of getting my old work car (1998 ford escort zx2) back in good running order. It lost the serpentine belt and I thought it would be alright to just replace it... I was wrong. After that disastrous belt route and much more time than it should have been due it being my first time replacing it I got it on and it's cooking itself. I've got a pulley somewhere that is burning it. So basically the first question is, does the ac compressor pulley turn by hand with no belt on it? if so, there's the problem. Mine won't. If not, all the other pulleys seem to be in working order except the idler seems to grind just a little bit. Any help would be greatly appreciated, otherwise repairing this car will be nothing but a craps shoot. (and I SUCK at dice games)

 

The compressor pulley should spin easily with nothing on it. Might want to try to unplug the clutch to see if it is any easier. Otherwise, you need to replace the clutch coil and pulley or get a by-pass kit for a different belt.