How do I tension the AC belt (EA82, with the idler)

[Syonyk]

I replaced the accessory belts when I did the oil pump (since everything was apart anyway).

 

Everything is back together (I'll do the waterpump next week), but the AC belt isn't tight enough.

 

With the alternator, I used my normal trick of wedging a long wrench in, prying to tighten it, and locking down the adjuster.

 

The AC belt seems to be tensioned by the idler pulley with a long extension bar type nut on it.

 

I've pushed it as hard as I can, and it's still too loose - there's a really nasty squeal from the belt when I turn the AC on, and I can feel the belt is too loose.

 

How do I tension this properly? I can't find a good place to pry on things.

 

-=Russ=-

[mikeshoup]

Is this the inboard style A/C? If so, there's like two bolts. There's one bolt at the pivot point, and another bolt with a long head. Loosen both bolts, then take a 17mm deep socket and put it over the pivoting bolt onto the nut behind. Put pressure on it to get the tension correct, then tighten the bolt with the long head. Then tighten the pivoting bolt.

 

I hope that makes sense...

 

If its teh outboard style A/C, I have no idea what the tensioner for that looks like.

[GeneralDisorder]

Inboard AC pump yes?

 

Pretty much you have to pry it down and tighten it up. It takes about 3 people, a tow truck, and a donkey usually.....

 

Try an actual pry-bar or I like to use a long flat blade screwdriver sometimes. Also taking the pulley off and lubing the track and sometimes a little grinding on the back-side-nut-slider-dealy helps too.

 

But yes - it definately is teh suck, and I feel your pain. :-\

 

GD

[Syonyk]

Is this the inboard style A/C? If so, there's like two bolts. There's one bolt at the pivot point, and another bolt with a long head. Loosen both bolts, then take a 17mm deep socket and put it over the pivoting bolt onto the nut behind. Put pressure on it to get the tension correct, then tighten the bolt with the long head. Then tighten the pivoting bolt.

 

I hope that makes sense...

 

Yes, it does. And that would be the "trick" I was missing - I had been looking for a 3/8" square hole or such to tension it with (similar to many serpentine belt setups), but didn't see anything.

 

I'll check tomorrow morning before work and see if I can get it taken care of. Thanks!

 

-=Russ=-

[hooziewhatsit]

for the inboard AC, I have a piece of wood about 1/2" x 3/8" I like to use.

 

Basically, that goes between the fan shroud and the power steering pump from the front down onto the pulley/long hex nut. Then I reach around with my other hand and 'jiggle' the pulley back and forth. That lets the pulley slide down into place.

 

Then, keeping tension on the pulley with the stick, I tighten the pivot point with my other hand.

 

So far that's the best method I've found to do this.

-Dave

[mikeshoup]

I still think the 17mm deep socket over the pivoting point works best. Can get pleny of leverage with a breaker bar on it.

[GeneralDisorder]

Best method by FAR is switch to the outboard pump and belts. That tensioner setup is silly, and I don't mean in the "haha funnay" way.

 

GD

[hooziewhatsit]

I still think the 17mm deep socket over the pivoting point works best. Can get pleny of leverage with a breaker bar on it.

 

oohhh, I think I know what you mean now. Yea, that would work pretty well