Is there some trick to putting on the A/C belt?

[chicaneS54]

Is there some trick to taking off and putting on the A/C belt? Because I have loosened the compressor bracket as far as it can go and I am having trouble installing this thing.

[JRanmann]

Yeah that's a tough one as most of the belts these days are a bit too short.
IIRC it's a 820mm that fits propely and you might be using the 400mm?

Edit: I went and looked and my spare is a Dayco 17315. On the instructions
not unlike in the Haynes manuals it says if the belt does not fit properly
remove engine to gain access...etc etc...Good 'ol Haynes!

Check the length spec. as it's not on the package here as I thought it might be
and the extra 20mm may just do the trick for you and save lots of stretching?

[jbd5015]

roll the windows down?

worked pretty well for me. I dont even run the belt anymore. you must be one of the lucky few that have a working A/C system!

Ive gotten one back on, it wasnt fun, little bit of oil soap doesnt hurt as you can get it off pretty easy, but id take up the Ranmann's advice.

-Jeff

[chicaneS54]

Yeah that's a tough one as most of the belts these days are a bit too short.
IIRC it's a 420mm that fits propely and you might be using the 400mm?

Edit: I went and looked and my spare is a Dayco 17315. On the instructions
not unlike in the Haynes manuals it says if the belt does not fit properly
remove engine to gain access...etc etc...Good 'ol Haynes!

Check the length spec. as it's not on the package here as I thought it might be
and the extra 20mm may just do the trick for you and save lots of stretching?


Is the Dayco 17315 a 420mm belt? ANd what are you measuring to get that value?

[JRanmann]

roll the windows down?
haha!

I'm not sure Chicane...My spare Dayco has that part number but of course does not list the overall length. From memory from past postings there seemed to be a slight change in belt lengths in the mid '80's and since I don't run the belt either in Winter I bought this about 3 months ago with the intention of putting it on in the spring...I do know it's 31.5 inches which is actually 800mm (Not the 400 I recalled) and if I recall correctly (this time?) the BMW spec is for a bit longer belt perhaps 820mm? Looks like I may have bought the wrong belt too and will be precisely where you are in the next month or so. :D Again check the spec. for you particular year as I cannot check at present am loading new software.

This could be a metric conversion thing just like finding tires for the TRX wheels? (i.e. both rubber!)
Here's that old thread I was referring to that suggests an even longer length...
Started by good old Quasi here who's comment first posting is:
A simple belt replacement should not take 5 hours!
Best of luck!

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1219419

[alpinacsi]

Dayco 17315 is not really the correct size. To translate that belt size you reference the first 2 digits as the width in 32nds (17/32" wide) and the next 3 digits reference the length to one decimal place (31.5" long). The factory belt is specified as 12.5mm x 800mm. So the 31.5" matches the 800mm length but the 17/32 is 13.5mm and will not allow the belt to sit at the proper depth in the pulley and will make the belt seem to be too short.

It is still a tight fit but with the proper belt, it will go on.

[Bert Poliakoff]

My easy solution to installing a belt that wouldn't go on, was to take a metal shoe horn, put masking tape around it so i wouldn't scratch my newly powder coated pulley, and it popped right on with very minimal effort

[JRanmann]

Thanks alpinacsi for the skoolin' i'll take it back and avoid having a Chicane experience when the weather warms up!

Ta!

[Denisrus]

This procedure is actually very easy.
You put the belt on A/C pump pulley and bottom part of the engine pulley.
Use 36mm socket and turn the engine clockwise.
If you can't put the original belt on, you can get 13x810 from NAPA or 13x825 if you like.
They also have 13x835.
If you can't regulate tension further, you can get another tensioning bracket off E30. In the pic: E24 bracket on the left and E30 on the right.
It's better to get the 36mm socket form Princess Auto. I don't know if they exist in USA. The socket has about 1/4" hole on the side. I used screwdriver to turn the socket since there is no enough room between the pulley and radiator.

[Bert Poliakoff]

Napa 13X810 is correct, not enough room to take the slack out of the larger belt. I did try them with the engine out of the car where it was easy to work on. Tried all 3 sizes you suggest and the 810 is the one.

[JRanmann]

...Tried all 3 sizes you suggest and the 810 is the one.That's good to know Bert....Thanks!

[chicaneS54]

I'm sorry I am not swapping brackets at this point I just want to get this thing on. The Dayco belt for our car, which I have is Dayco 17335 and it is way tight. I couldn't even pull the old belt off I had to cut it off.

[Denisrus]

I'm sorry I am not swapping brackets at this point I just want to get this thing on. The Dayco belt for our car, which I have is Dayco 17335 and it is way tight. I couldn't even pull the old belt off I had to cut it off.



Then just get 13x810 belt. I was able to install it and it was easier than I thought initially.