Most parts suppliers list the AC belt on an e28 as a 13.0 x 800, but I've been having trouble working with that belt. Even with the adjustment all the way in, the belt is a PITA to get on and when it's on it's way too tight. The ETK lists a 12.5 x 800. Anybody have a clue what's going on here?
you won't find a 12.5 any more (usually) so get a 13. The listing is wrong- do not try to use an 800. Even an 810 is a tight fit, so I normally use up to an 825.
mooseheadm5 wrote:you won't find a 12.5 any more (usually) so get a 13. The listing is wrong- do not try to use an 800. Even an 810 is a tight fit, so I normally use up to an 825.
Will do. Having the belt as tight as it is destroyed the last belt prematurely and is not good for the compressor.
On the M20 , the belt is a tight squeeze. But once it is on the pulleys you have to take up the slack, That being the case, you aren't stressing anything except maybe your fingers. Just start it on and bump over the engine.
Seems like 810 is the size I use, I know I went thru a couple of my spares when I lost all my belts last year and it was a pretty narrow range that would fit. That said, a screwdriver and a ratchet on the crank bolt make it less dramatic than many seem to feel it is.
Mike W. wrote:Seems like 810 is the size I use, I know I went thru a couple of my spares when I lost all my belts last year and it was a pretty narrow range that would fit. That said, a screwdriver and a ratchet on the crank bolt make it less dramatic than many seem to feel it is.
I know, i've gotten it on before, but there's no reason why the belt should be overly tight with the eccentric all the way out
Mike W has it right - use a screw driver and turn the crank. It slips right on. Unfortunately I've done it enough to learn that trick too. "Necessity" is a mother....oh yeah, "the" mother of invention.
On some cars that this belt is spec'd for, it will not go on even that way, or it will go on and be banjo string tight. I never bothered to find out why, just went to using 810s instead and never had a problem.
