I have an '83 300D. My AC quit during a trip across Florida a month ago. I found the belt was off the AC compressor. I arrived at my destination, parked the car at night. I returned a month later, in the daytime and got under the hood with a friend's family friend (who runs a mobile fix-it service). What I found was it looked as if someone had put the wrong belt on (too long) at an angle. We had to removed one belt to get the loose belt off. I drove home without AC last night, as I didn't have time to stop that late for a belt replacement. I wasn't even sure anything would be open in that armpit location of rural Florida. While driving home, my mind started analyzing the problem based on what I remembered from under the hood. It seems to be a three belt system. Am wondering if the mechanic who replaced the alternator under warranty got the belts back on wrong. The one that was on the AC compressor was clearly too long. Therefore, my question is (since my manuals don't have the exact info), what is the correct belt placement for all three belts, and what are the sizes of the V-Belts. At least, from largest to smallest, where they go. I am prepared to remove all three and put them all back on (or replace them with new belts). Most pulleys have 2 pulley-systems, with the exception of the compressor. A picture would also be great.

Torie

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

This may help, when removing your old ones, measure them, just to be sure.

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83 SD

84 CD

Well, that pic answered all my questions, thank you. The idiot mechanic who replaced my alternator obviously didn't note how they came off and I'm amazed anything works at all the way he tried to rig everything. I threw the belt for the AC while traversing Florida during a heatwave and storms . . . not a good time to have the AC go out!!! Oh well, I should have checked after him, since he seemed to have a lot of problems in general . . . took three tries to get my radio faceplate back from him, and had to mail two back!!!! That should explain it!!!

Thanks,

Torie

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

Are you aware of how to adjust the belt tension? They have adjusters but you must loosen mounting bolts to avoid damage.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=296386

The fsm is too large a file, but the pics provide much adjusting info.

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83 SD

84 CD

I threw the belt on my a/c last week, got a look in there, and I'm missing a spacer from the adjuster bolt, so my compressor sits cockeyed a hair. make sure you have two small spacers between the compressor face and the mount. a thick one on the inboard upper bolt, and a thinner one on the bolt with the adjuster bolt.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Note of course that you have four belts for three drives. "Twins" for the fan/waterpump/alternator, one for the PS, and one for the AC.

As noted make sure you've loosened all the mounting bolts (some are "hinge," some are "adjuster") such that the component in question will wiggle under hand power before trying any stunts. You do NOT need a crowbar to do any adjusting. Also note that a new (unstretched), "proper" AC belt will barely fit over the rims during installation; you may have to screwdriver it a bit, and soapy water or windex will help.

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James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

I will sometimes rotate the engine by hand, or with a hand held bump starter, after I get the belt almost on, I hit the button on the bump starter, the belt "walks" right on.

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83 SD

84 CD

Yeah ! something I can chime in on. Everyone here has been a great help. Make sure you get the correct belt ( buying from Phil ) and make sure to completely loosen the mounting bolts as others here have said. When I went to adjust mine and I looked at some photos of new ones I realized that the shop that did this using the wrong belt ( too long) and then tried to run the adjuster all the way out, most likely without fully loosening them. I had to remove the Alt adjuster and put in in a vise with 2 channel locks and a 2' pipe and put my big
AZZZZZ behind it to straighten it out. Fine and dandy now.
Alan

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )