AC Belt - am I screwed?
08-05-2015, 04:36 PM
#1
New Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SATX
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AC Belt - am I screwed?
So I had to replace my alternator and waterpump to be able to get to work....and I did my belts too.
Well I stripped my tensioner, but that' the least of my problems. I can't get my AC belt back on. I bought a tool from autozone, but it's not big enough.
I did some searching: there's no way to get this belt back on without the special tool is there? I have to get the car running for work tomorrow, so it looks like I might be w/o A/C....
If there's no way to get the belt on, then I'l just take it by the shop after work, Im not going to wait for a special tool when I alrady spent $30 on this POS from autozone.
Well I stripped my tensioner, but that' the least of my problems. I can't get my AC belt back on. I bought a tool from autozone, but it's not big enough.
I did some searching: there's no way to get this belt back on without the special tool is there? I have to get the car running for work tomorrow, so it looks like I might be w/o A/C....
If there's no way to get the belt on, then I'l just take it by the shop after work, Im not going to wait for a special tool when I alrady spent $30 on this POS from autozone.
08-05-2015, 07:29 PM
#4
Members
Senior Members
It is a stretch belt. You need the special tool 641040. See these ones below. You can get from Amazon. The generic tools from the auto parts stores won't work. I had to get a different, but special one, for wife's X5 also.You can try to muscle it with a screwdriver, but not worth risking damage to anything (like the compressor pulley).
https://www.google.com/search?q=bmw+...IVww-SCh08fQ5h
https://www.google.com/search?q=bmw+...IVww-SCh08fQ5h
08-05-2015, 09:52 PM
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Sin City
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: Jet Black '05 545i, Sport/Premium Pkg, Steptronic, Adaptive Xenon, Nav, L7, Blue2th, PDC,
Don't ask me how but I managed to do it with no screwdriver, let alone a special tool.
I wrapped the belt around the compressor and the disconnected crank pulley and used a lot of elbow grease and patience to manually screw crank pulley back on. The challenge is to get the first screw on, but once on the rest is cake. Took several attempts but it is doable. Good luck.
I wrapped the belt around the compressor and the disconnected crank pulley and used a lot of elbow grease and patience to manually screw crank pulley back on. The challenge is to get the first screw on, but once on the rest is cake. Took several attempts but it is doable. Good luck.
08-06-2015, 05:40 AM
#7
Members
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
My Ride: 545i sport
Model Year: 2004
I use a modified hose pinch clamp I got from Harbor Freight. A search might turn something up. It worked well, but I finally got tired of the hassle and just purchased a belt tensioner assembly and did away with the stretch belt all together. Life is much easier now.
08-06-2015, 08:08 AM
#8
Members
Senior Members
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550i
Model Year: 2008
You should have read my DIY on replacing the water pump without removing the crank pulley. Then you wouldn't have to worry about removing the AC belt, among other things.
But try to do what lab.rat did and maybe use something to lever the crank pulley into position so you can screw it into place.
But try to do what lab.rat did and maybe use something to lever the crank pulley into position so you can screw it into place.
08-09-2015, 07:46 AM
#9
Members
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: Sold: 545i, sport package, cold weather, 6MT
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
Ronmexico,
See Healthservices tool here:
https://5series.net/forums/e60-discu...-124830/page2/
It took me about twenty minutes to get the belt on using his tool idea, but it did work. and it's a LOT cheaper than buying the specialized tool. Especially considering this probably the only time you will do this.
Also, there apparently an unused bolt hole in the engine block where you can install a tensioner, just like the serpentine belt. This is more expensive since you have to buy another tensioner and a different belt, but it is an option.
See Healthservices tool here:
https://5series.net/forums/e60-discu...-124830/page2/
It took me about twenty minutes to get the belt on using his tool idea, but it did work. and it's a LOT cheaper than buying the specialized tool. Especially considering this probably the only time you will do this.
Also, there apparently an unused bolt hole in the engine block where you can install a tensioner, just like the serpentine belt. This is more expensive since you have to buy another tensioner and a different belt, but it is an option.
08-10-2015, 05:57 AM
#10
New Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SATX
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ronmexico,
See Healthservices tool here:
https://5series.net/forums/e60-discu...-124830/page2/
It took me about twenty minutes to get the belt on using his tool idea, but it did work. and it's a LOT cheaper than buying the specialized tool. Especially considering this probably the only time you will do this.
Also, there apparently an unused bolt hole in the engine block where you can install a tensioner, just like the serpentine belt. This is more expensive since you have to buy another tensioner and a different belt, but it is an option.
See Healthservices tool here:
https://5series.net/forums/e60-discu...-124830/page2/
It took me about twenty minutes to get the belt on using his tool idea, but it did work. and it's a LOT cheaper than buying the specialized tool. Especially considering this probably the only time you will do this.
Also, there apparently an unused bolt hole in the engine block where you can install a tensioner, just like the serpentine belt. This is more expensive since you have to buy another tensioner and a different belt, but it is an option.
This is interesting. I actually have an extra tensioner! I bought one to replace my stripped out OEM one, but I was able to tension it enough to get it back on the drive belts.....so I have an extra one.
I'm going to see if I can get the A/C belt installed with my extra tensioner.
I did order this:
I see it only lists 04-06 - but I looked at the crank pulley from both cars (online) and they look the same. Will this tool work for my 2010 550i?
But it won't be here until this weekend. No A/C until then, REALLY sucks in South Texas. I'm going to try and bolt up my extra tensioner.