Belt Tensioner Problem

[Ron in SC]

Vehicle is a 92 300E. I have done a search and the tensioner I found did not seem to be the same as what I'm dealing with. Below is a photo of mine.

Red circled bolt is tensioner adjusting bolt, I think. Loosening it did nothing tensioner is locked in place.

Yellow circle is 13mm bolt that is very, very tight. I tried to loosen to see what would happen but it was so tight I figured I'd wait and see if it needed to be loosened.

Pink arrow, under arrow is another 13mm bolt, loosening it does nothing.

Blue circle, under arrow is another 13mm, maybe it's a nut to the bolt that is circled in yellow, not sure.

Sorry for the colored arrows and circles I don't know how to put number there.

Question:

How do I loosen that tensioner so I can get belt off.
Thanks

You missed the big bolt, about 21MM or so head size that is below the thin red arrow at the bottom of your picture. It threads from the front toward rear, horizontally through the center pivot of the tensioner. This bolt must be loosened to adjust the tensioner. You must pay attention to the arrow on the triangular scale.

What are you trying to accomplish? Is the belt slipping or are you just trying to change the belt?

Good luck,

[Ron in SC]

Larry,

I found the large bolt, it's 19mm and it's in the center of the tensioner.

The arrow is to the left side of the markings, on the thick line on the left.

I want to remove my A/C compressor to replace it along with dryer, and expansion valve, then I want to put in a new belt.

Thanks for your help.

Ron

[Phalcon51]

Ron,

If you end up taking the tensioner off, here's a couple of links (with photos) that might be useful in determining if it's time to replace it.

Tensioner adjustment and wear limits

Back View

Hope this helps

Gary