My B230FT alternator belt snapped and after a lot of searching previous posts and the FAQ I'm confused, since the belt layout varies quite a bit. And here I thought a belt replacement would be a 10-minute job! (LOL) Any help is appreciated.

My car has a single alternator belt which goes to the main crank pulley. But the A/C belt must be removed to install the alternator belt. I have already loosened the alternator mounting and adjuster, but have NO idea how to get the A/C belt off and back on again without messing something up.

(One concern...I bought the correct Gates replacement, according to all the charts, but note that it's a 1030mm belt. Seems identical to the snapped belt in length...but the Owner's Manual claims a "1000mm length" for "drive belts" for the B230FT. I'm guessing the thing will fit since it's the same length as before, but any contrarians out there?)

THANKS

--Greg

Greg,

I don't consider myself a contrarian, but I have different belts on both of my RWD cars, '87 740 and '89 760T.

All dimensions in mm starting at the engine and working forward:
Fan and Power steering: 11.9 X 1000
Alternator: 11.9 X 1013
A/C: 12.5 X 975 (Actually the most recent replacement I bought from FCPgroton was 13 X 975)

You might run out of adjustment screw with a 1030 mm belt. I think I would change all three. I know you must fix the alternator belt to get back on the road, but change the other two soon and throw the old ones in the trunk for spares.

Dan

Dan,

Thanks for the input.

I wrestled with the AC compressor for a good half hour trying to figure out what to loosen for the pivot points...a manual, of course, would have made that a five minute job! I loosened a little bit of EVERYTHING, including what were probably some compressor armature bolts (there are LOTS of bolts on an AC compressor) and finally hit the right combo. The A/C belt was in excellent shape, so decided I would get the car running again and save a complete belt changeover for another day (timing belt change is coming up).

Once I had the A/C belt off, everything else was easy. Tightened it all back up again...now I am missing a 15mm socket, but I am hoping to find it soon!

LOL

--Greg

Glad you got it all back together. The timing belt job isn't too dificult. Just make sure that you have all the marks lined up, and the counterhold tool makes it a breeze.

Dan