Change A/C Fan Belt?

[mooney265]

I was fooling around with the 930 this weekend and wanted to see if I could get the alternator belt changed out - - just because...

Step 1: released tension on the A/C compressor and removed the A/C Belt from the Compressor Pulley.
Step 2: attempted to remove the A/C Belt from the Main Engine Pulley - - FAIL. There's not enough space to remove the A/C Belt between the Engine Pulley and the Engine Support Bracket - - due to belt width...

So, before writing this, I searched for an article which may have addressed this, but had no luck.

Anyone got any suggestions/advice/experience with this?

Is my a/c belt too wide?

Thanks, Shannon

[mooney265]

Here's a pic of the "too tight space"

[mooney265]

I've done a bit more searching and see that the current belt I have is:

Current: NAPA 25-9463 = 46.38" Length / and [12mm] Thick

Suggested by Pelican: 1200/13 = 47.2" Length / and 13mm Thick - - - Link: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/1013/POR_1013_BASFLT_pg2.htm#item11

So, if this is true, then my belt is even "1mm thinner" than what is recommended. So, why can't I get it between the gap?

[pete3799]

Can you twist the belt so it comes out sideways past the pulley?

[krasuskyp]

Originally Posted by mooney265

So, why can't I get it between the gap?

Ronknees NEVER suffers from this particular problem.

His problem is, it's always the wrong 'gap'...

(not that there's anything wrong with it)

oh

yeah

sorry, I'm of no help to you on the a/c belt question - I'm fully a/c-ectomied...

[mooney265]

Originally Posted by pete3799

Can you twist the belt so it comes out sideways past the pulley?

It's an idea that I may or may not have tried. I'm assuming you're suggesting to "roll it 180-degrees"off the top of the pulley?

[mooney265]

Originally Posted by mooney265

So, why can't I get it between the gap?

Yeah, i set myself up with that one...

[Ronnie's.930]

Shannon, it is indeed a tight fit (a comment that Paul never hears directed at him!!!) but the belt does fit through that space.

You have the belt off of the compressor pulley, correct? If so, what you need to do is to reposition it on the crank pulley so that it is standing vertical (Paul needs plenty of Viagra to accomplish this), and then push it downward, off of the crank pulley. Once it is off of the crank pulley (protruding into the space beneath it), you will be able to work the belt between the gap in your picture above (Paul already covered the "gap" joke, so I'll leave that one alone).

[mooney265]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

You have the belt off of the compressor pulley, correct? If so, what you need to do is to reposition it on the crank pulley so that it is standing vertical

Yes, it's easily removed from the compressor pulley. However, I don't understand your "standing vertical" part?

Do you mean turning it 180-degrees [inside out] on the crank pulley?

[krasuskyp]

Yes, Shannon - Ronknees is always turning his (micro) crank 180 degress, trying out his best Silence of the Lambs pose...

>shudders<

[Norm K]

For you, Paul ...

[Ronnie's.930]

^^^ Great Norm, now Paul will spend the next few weeks so aroused that he won't be able to keep his hands off of himself AT ALL - even in public (much to his wife's great shame)!

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by mooney265

Yes, it's easily removed from the compressor pulley. However, I don't understand your "standing vertical" part?

Do you mean turning it 180-degrees [inside out] on the crank pulley?

What I meant was hold the belt upright (toward the engine lid) and then push it downward off of the crank pulley and into the space below the pulley - make sure that the belt is on the "inside" of the engine bar-to-carrier bolts/nuts in your picture. Once enough of the belt is off of the crank pulley that you can move it forward toward the engine carrier, it is fairly easy to persuade it past the pulley/carrier gap. You basically need enough of the belt protruding beneath the crank pulley so that is easier to wiggle/move around. This is one of those things that is much easier to demonstrate than to explain in text, unfortunately.

[krasuskyp]

NORM - ARRRRRRRRRRGH!!!

what happens at Ronknees' STAYS AT RONKNEES'!!!

[Bucketlist]

Originally Posted by mooney265

Here's a pic of the "too tight space"

I feel your pain! When I installed the A/C in my Turbo SC I had the same problem. I had to put a floor jack under the engine, remove the 4 bolts from the rear engine mount and lower the engine a few inches for clearance.

[mooney265]

Ronnie: I get your 'picture' of events. will try this weekend. thanks, shannon

[mark houghton]

Twist it, as already mentioned. The belt depth is less than the belt width, so when twisted on it's side it should clear the pulley and the engine support bracket (I think...guess we'll see). Doesn't make sense to have to do a partial engine drop for a simple thing like this.

[mooney265]

Alright guys, i've got the message. will attempt either this weekend or next. the whole idea was for me to be able to change the alternator belt in an emergency.

I realize I can get the alternator belt off and on due to it's size [smaller than the a/c belt]. And, if I had to [on the roadside] I'd just cut the a/c belt off and replace the alternator belt.

But, hopefully, after I try some of the above-mentioned techniques, i'll be able to do both

[mark houghton]

You'll slay that dragon, Mooney. I'm probably speaking out of line (wouldn't be the first time) since I removed my AC compressor years ago and never looked back....so just surmising on the belt width/depth. Seems to me that even the alternator belt is a tight fit.
My new ride, however, has the AC still installed (though it doesn't blow) so what you learn will serve me well in the long run I suppose.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by mark houghton

. . . (though it doesn't blow) . . .

Mark, you forgot to include "unlike Paul" to yer above statement!