M103 serpentine belt question
 

I need to change the belt on my M103 190E 2.6. Fastlane lists the belt with a note:

'#55 90 344 (6PK-2415) is the latest updated version replacing #48 99 548 (6PK-2612). #55 90 344 is a shorter belt bypassing the top center Tension Pulley. The earlier version belt is OK to use until supplies have been depleted. This information is contained on Saab TSB # 210-2486'

???? I don't know what to make of this - will this belt, which supposedly is a shorter length, fit? As far as I can tell, one cannot 'bypass the tension pulley' on this engine, so the belt kinda needs to be the right length. I don't want to buy this part and have it not be correct. Can anyone clarify this for me? Thanks

I would check the owner's manual or the engine FSM and find the length and just get thatassuming the nothing has been changed on your engine. The numbers 2415 and 2612 refer to the length of the belt in mm if you didn't already know that. Could be that that info is only related to Saabs which once used the same belt as your engine?

Started searching here for opinions on the 6PK-2415 replacement - came across this thread.

Am currently changing out the belt tensioner and related parts on my M103 motor.

This too made no sense whatsoever...."bypassing the top center tensioner pulley".

Got a big surprise when I looked at the belt I had taken off the car.

Conti Tech 6PK-2415 ?????

None of my pulleys were bypassed - car is equipped with a/c. I remember reading years ago that there were 2 different belts - one for cars equipped with a/c - one for cars with no a/c. Suspect the latter belt was on european-only models.

Maybe there are differences in the various M103 systems - but for whatever reason - the Conti Tech 6PK-2415 has worked fine on my a/c equipped M103 motor since 2003 - again no pulleys bypassed - factory belt routing diagram followed.

The side-note you see at every MB WEB Parts site - 6PK-2415 replacing 6PK-2612 - mentions a SAAB bulletin. Perhaps a SAAB-only issue?


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Update - decided to pull out my "Service Manual M103 Engine" manual - S-2421-103. Service task 13-342 - Checking condition of poly V-belt and renewing.

Length of belt without refrigerant compressor - 2170 mm

Length of belt with refrigerant compressor - 2255 mm