A/C Belt - Checking Tension
Group 64Heating and Air Conditioning
Bulletin Number
64 01 93 (3721)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
January 1993
Product Engineering
SUBJECT:
Air Conditioning Belt Tension
MODELS:
E30, E34 with M20 Engine
Situation:
Whenever service requires removal of the air conditioning compressor or replacement of the A/C drive belt, the bell tension must be checked.
Improper A/C belt tension on the M20 engine may allow the belt to rub the coolant hose. Long term exposure might produce wear on the sidewall of the hose.
Correction:
Always check the A/C belt tension with a BMW approved belt tension tester (e.g. special tool 11 5 021) and verify the tension is correct. If the belt has been stretched due to excessive tension, the belt should be replaced, and adjusted to the proper tension. Note that there should always be a minimum gap of 10 mm between the A/C compressor belt pulley and the coolant hose. Refer to illustration.
Parts
Information:
Use only original BMW belts. These belts are designed to resist stretching.