[Vwdiesel] 91 ecodiesel idler pulley fell off!

[Will Taygan]

So, I've had this car a week, the previous owner had all the belts done
a week before he sold it, now it's 2000 miles away from that shop and
the idler pulley fell off! (the one up front by the alternator)

I've figured out all the parts I need (I think), but there's a little 5"
piece of the belt stuck in the a/c compressor, between the pulley and
the housing.  It turns fine, and I don't smell rubber, I'd like to get
it out, but would like to make things as easy as possible too.

Am I going to kill my compressor bearing if I leave it in there, or will
it just burn off to a comfortable spacing?  The A/C doesn't work anyway.

If I need to get it out, can I get the pulley loosened in the car?  Just
crank on the nut and use the belt to hold it??  Hmmm..

Thanks,

Will