All you guys with working AC...Check your Belt Tension!
 

Well, my compressor started making the "horses on cobblestones" noise last week that indicates by belt needs to be tightened again. Additionally, yesterday it started squealing each time the compressor engaged, so today I got under to re-tension the belt.

What did I find?.....

One bolt finger tight, one bolt backed out about 10mm and ONE BOLT MISSING! (the one that passes through the adjuster). I wonder what it would have been like to have the compressor drop out at 70MPH?

If I had checked the tension regularly, this could likely have been avoided. Check yours.

It's off to the dealer tomorrow to pay exorbitant prices for a bolt and spacer.

Why? I'm sure there are several people here that would be happy to send bolts to you.

I think I need the spacer too. I can't find the diagram on EPC (can find the compressor, but it doesn't show the mounting). I figure the dealer can confirm exactly what I lost....

Fat chance they will have it in stock.... but they are friendly and helpful there...

I got lucky at the Virginia Beach Pick-N-Pull last Spring. I grabbed a bunch of metric bolts that were lying under a 300D, including one very large bolt.
Later that Summer, when I decided to get the AC working on my 240D, it turned out to be the large bolt I discovered I needed to replace the broken pivot-bolt that used to attach the AC compressor to my engine block.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I'm quite lucky that the pivot bolt and it's associated giant spacer were not the one that was lost.

I've been hearing some noise under there, I'll check mine tomorrow. My noise is more of a screeching, I have pulled on the belt, and it's tight. I think I just have bad bearings in the compressor. In fact, been thinking about just pulling it off completely, as I don't use A/C .

Half of the original big bolt was still in the hole and the big spacer was still hanging there. I wrapped some electrical tape around the replacement bolt as the holes seemed to be somewhat larger. And the aluminum bracket had only two of the three smaller bolts remaining holding it to the block. The third one was missing except for a chunk stuck in the block that looks like I can't drill without pulling the engine. So I tighted the belt and I'm making do.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Update From The Dealer
 

Well, here is the update.

I'm missing both the bolt (#128) and the bracket that secures the refrigerant line (#134).

The bolt is available for $4 and they ordered it for me. The bracket is discontinued and no stock is showing anywhere in the US. But lucky me, the Classic Center is sending me a copy of the drawings so I can make one.

Sooooo, anyone have one of these brackets in their junk drawer on on their parts car they'd like to sell?

Thanks -

I might have one of those brackets in my parts horde, I may have recycled it today though! :eek: I took my trailer full of old engine/transmission/other scrap today, but I may have a bracket laying around in the garage.

There's a 300SD at our local junk yard too, but if I have to go retrieve that I'd probably want more $$ for it. Just let me know. I'd get the one off the junkyard car for like $25+shipping.

Another good reason to use locktite.

Scott