instructions and tips on S220 AC compressor belt replacement

[eyyu]

st. louis weather got so hot now it's miserable to sit in the cab. I cut the compressor belt a couple years ago when the alternator belt broke and needs replacing. The AC comp belt and alternator belt share the same pulley. Never got a chance to put a new one on. The compressor is on the right side behind alternator. there seems to be a tensioner bracket there. however, the head of the bolt is toward the left into the back of the engine. anyone has done this job and can share some tips? if the bolt is accessible, it looks like a 10 min job. Read everything I can find online and cannot find any useable information. Thanks in advance. Erwin

 

[brdgbldr]

Not sure of that particular machine but on my A300 there were two bolts that needed to be loosened to get the compressor to pivot to replace the belt.

I had to feel around for the bolts and do the job blind. Just figuring out what size wrench/socket took forever. And then there was little room to get any torque on the wrenches to loosen and tighten.

After all of that my compressor started to leak oil so I did it all over again just to remove the new belt. (And no, I did not over tension the belt. It ends up the guy I bought the machine from lied about the air conditioner being in good shape. It did however over cool the cab for the short time I had it running.)

 

[eyyu]

brdgbldr, thx for ur information. My machine is 2008 S220.

Is ur AC comp on the right side behind the alternator as u look into back of the machine or the other side?

 

[brdgbldr]

brdgbldr, thx for ur information. My machine is 2008 S220.

Is ur AC comp on the right side behind the alternator as u look into back of the machine or the other side?

My AC is on the right side behind the alternator.

I had to access the bolts from the access panel behind the arms. It took me a lot of patients. Dropping wrenches and sockets is going to happen. I suggest tying the tools with string that reaches outside of the machine.

 

[eyyu]

Tried offset wrenches, not working. Unless I can access the bolt head from the left side behind the engine somehow, I might have to weld a special handle on a socket.

By the way do u know the size of that bolt? That would n very helpful. Thx. Erwin

 

[brdgbldr]

Tried offset wrenches, not working. Unless I can access the bolt head from the left side behind the engine somehow, I might have to weld a special handle on a socket.

By the way do u know the size of that bolt? That would n very helpful. Thx. Erwin

I think it was a 17mm but I'm not positive. Maybe a 15mm.

The lower bolt is very hard to get to but you should be able to get a deep socket on it. I had to feel around with my hand every time before trying to get the socket on it just so I would have a feel for where it was.