P38 2.5 AC tentioning

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Blobthebuilder

Active Member
Posts
202
Location
Scotland
Hi peeps, today I did my water pump, thermostat, drivebelt, viscous fan and AC belt, I don't have a suitable torque wrench for AC tentionerso I pushed it up as tight as I could then tightened but but with AC off it all sounds fine but AC on it screeches something awefull but blows nice and cold, I'm wondering is there a way to set proper tention if no suitable torque wrench because I'm thinking its to tight ( belt has no play )
 
I pushed tensioner up as tight as possible and tightened but thing that would cover tension but now I'm thinking all I did was take up slack in belt but not actually tensioned it so tomorrow I'm gonna push up tensioner then I'll put Allen key in apply a bit of pressure then tighten up bolt andvsee if its better
 
OK more checks today I've removed tentiober and it turns freely so I looked at compressor the pulley turns freely and clutch feels tight but there appears to be up and down movement of 1-2mm and can hear a clicking noise so I'm thinking the clutch or compressor is buggered
 
There should be an amount of play in the pulley as it is a clutch assembly. If it blows cold its compressing gas and doing its job. It could well be the belt isn't tensioned properly. You'll need an 8mm or 10mm Allen key to tension the ac pulley.
 
Is the tensioner turned in the correct direction?
The wrong way will bring it into contact with either the engine pulley or ac pulley, the other way won't.
Is the belt the correct length also.
 
Is there a spring mechanism inside tensioner pulley because ivevremoved it and it just turns also when fitted to car there is no spring I pushed it up by hand to belt then tried to turn with Allen key but there was nothing there
 
No spring just the turning action with an Allen key to tension it.
My belt for example is an 840 and the pulley is turned clockwise and rests with the Allen key hole to the left of the bolt.
 
Is that standing at front of car looking towards rear because I'm I'm sure my Allen key bolt on right I also think the tensioner feel rough turning
 
I seam to remember there are two bolt holes, the tensioner can go in and one is wrong, it is quite close for clearance but does fit.
The trouble is it is quite a fiddle in there access is not good.
 
This is stood looking at the front looking over the rad toward the rear.
If there is any noise from the bearing at all when you turn by hand or spin it, bin it!
There should be a small amount of resistance and no noise at all.
 
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