Creative ways to tighten A/C belt without the tensioner??

[Narcoleptic]

I was attempting to get a belt onto the A/C compressor of my '82 240D. Even with all three tension bolts almost all the way out, it the compressor didn't want to budge. Loosened tensioner bolt all the way out, no resistance over the travel of the nut and then the bolt lets go. Looks like where the stud was mounted to bracket was twisted over time I was the lucky one it let go on.

Now I have the belt on, and thinking of ways to tighten it. My best idea is to use a jack and a block of wood (similar to jacking an engine via the oil pan) and gently lift it until the belt is tight, then tighten the three tension bolts. I realize that I may warp the compressor case but I'm not out much, the car was $60 and the A/C is really the only thing that doesn't work. It didn't have a belt on the compressor, and the compressor clutch wire was severed. It is an aftermarket compressor, it has a reman tag on the case. Not really sure if the compressor works, it had a little residual pressure in this system. I evacuated and pulled a vacuum which has been holding for three days so far.

Any other ideas on how to tighten the belt? Unless the compressor is shot, don't really plan on pulling it.

Other than replacing the adjuster, I would just pry it tight with something like a wooden hammer handle and tighten the bolts.

[elkman]

First off to test your copressor take two heavy gauge(at least 16) and connect them to 12V. I do not like using my own battery from engine have had problems blowing fuses and circuitry, but I guess you could take off your terminals first. Then if you look on the bottom of your compressor you will see a plug unhook it and place 12 volts to it you should hear a click if you do thats your compressor clutch engaging and your copressor should be good. On your belt tension grab a kirket from napa. I have read that belt tension of AC should roughly be half of fan and alternator, but am not sure. There is some adjsutment with the 3 19mm bolts. I too do not have ac tensioner on my 300td and have been able to get 50lbs tension using 19's for adjustement.

[LUVMBDiesels]

Without the adjusting bolt the compressor will loosen and loose tension no matter how tight you make the three bolts. At least that is what mine did on my 300SD. I would get another adjusting bolt before messing around with it.

[elkman]

I wonder why that is. It would seem to me that the tensioners serve to get you to where you need to be tension wise and the bolts tighten AC, PS, alternator's into place, but we all know how diesels have a way of shaking things loose.

[elkman]

Here are proper belt tensions 2.2kg = 1 pnd

[ImBroke]

Pry bar worked for me. Sorry, not very creative there. Guess I could have said piece of conduit, tree branch, 1x4 oak board, jack handle, your lug wrench in your took kit, something along those lines.