Question about the belts

[e30onBBSs]

I'm waiting for parts in the mail, and before I do the timing belt which is in there I want to know about the AC and water pump belt and the other one up front. Should I replace those? Can I reuse them? Do they have tensioners?

[101]

Inspect them for wear. A worn belt will feel hardened, may have cracking on the inner surface or be "glazed" from wear against the pulleys.

If they look OK, I'd reuse them. But they are only a few bucks each if you want the peace of mind.

There are no tensioner pulleys on any of the three belts. The belts are tensioned by moving each respective accessory (A/C compressor, alternator, power steering pump) in their adjustable brackets.

[e30onBBSs]

Inspect them for wear. A worn belt will feel hardened, may have cracking on the inner surface or be "glazed" from wear against the pulleys.



If they look OK, I'd reuse them. But they are only a few bucks each if you want the peace of mind.



There are no tensioner pulleys on any of the three belts. The belts are tensioned by moving each respective accessory (A/C compressor, alternator, power steering pump) in their adjustable brackets.

Thanks for the info! So to Remove the belts I have to loosen the respective accessories?

[101]

^^^ correct.

[estoguy]

Honestly, if you're already doing the timing belt, replace them. You gotta take them off anyway and they are cheap.

Between my first and second timing belt change was 18 months. Since I DD my car, doing the v-belts is cheap insurance. I keep the old one in the car for emergencies.

[e30onBBSs]

My ac is broken and my PS is being deleted all I need is water pump belt?

[TobyB]

Yarp.

Well, that and the belt that holds up your pants. You do wear pants, right?

t

[15Michaeljoseph]

Yarp.

Well, that and the belt that holds up your pants. You do wear pants, right?

t

+1 you might also keep a belt on hand to 'secure' any 'precious cargo' from moving around or making noise in the trunk.... just a thought.


--Mike

[e30onBBSs]

Hahaha yea I wear pants often =) I have some family jewels that are valuable..

[mrob]

I like to accessorize

I'm wrestling with the power steering pump belt. Does anyone know if #11 is the pivot bolt, ie, the only bolt that absolutely has to be loosened before #13 (tension bolt) should be turned? Thanks.

[jeffnhiscars]

#11 will pivot as you tighten the belt but somwill the pump itself so you have to loosen more than just that one. 15 is obvious but worth mentioning and I think 7.

[mrob]

Thanks, Jeff. I just saw your reply. Yes, I ended up needing to loosen 3 or 4 nuts in addition to the one on the tension bolt in order for the pump to move. If I hadn't loosened them first, the bracket would probably have become stripped or bent.

Now I'm taking on the A/C compressor. It *seems* much simpler: one nut in addition to the one on the tension bolt.

#11 will pivot as you tighten the belt but somwill the pump itself so you have to loosen more than just that one. 15 is obvious but worth mentioning and I think 7.