Replacing Compressor Belt

Have a 1990 525i, the fan belt failed and the engine overheated, but
managed to turn it off quickly. Thinking I should replace all belts
at the same time, since this one failed. Can't get the alternator
belt on without getting the compressor belt off first. Where is the
tensioner for this compressor? How do you get this belt off? And
then the new one back on? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

JoeBeem wrote:
> Have a 1990 525i, the fan belt failed and the engine overheated, but
> managed to turn it off quickly. Thinking I should replace all belts
> at the same time, since this one failed. Can't get the alternator
> belt on without getting the compressor belt off first. Where is the
> tensioner for this compressor? How do you get this belt off? And
> then the new one back on? Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Joe
>

depneds if you have an M20 or M50 engine. Both were sold in 1990.

--
-Fred W

On Aug 28, 6:50?pm, Fred W > wrote:
> JoeBeem wrote:
> > Have a 1990 525i, the fan belt failed and the engine overheated, but
> > managed to turn it off quickly. Thinking I should replace all belts
> > at the same time, since this one failed. Can't get the alternator
> > belt on without getting the compressor belt off first. Where is the
> > tensioner for this compressor? How do you get this belt off? And
> > then the new one back on? Any help would be appreciated.
>
> > Thanks,
> > Joe
>
> depneds if you have an M20 or M50 engine. Both were sold in 1990.
>
> --
> -Fred W

I have the M20 engine. Got the other 2 belts off yesterday, can't get
the ac compressor one off.

JoeBeem wrote:
> On Aug 28, 6:50?pm, Fred W > wrote:
>
>>JoeBeem wrote:
>>
>>>Have a 1990 525i, the fan belt failed and the engine overheated, but
>>>managed to turn it off quickly. Thinking I should replace all belts
>>>at the same time, since this one failed. Can't get the alternator
>>>belt on without getting the compressor belt off first. Where is the
>>>tensioner for this compressor? How do you get this belt off? And
>>>then the new one back on? Any help would be appreciated.
>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Joe
>>
>>depneds if you have an M20 or M50 engine. Both were sold in 1990.
>>
>>--
>>-Fred W
>
>
> I have the M20 engine. Got the other 2 belts off yesterday, can't get
> the ac compressor one off.
>

As can be seen in the OEM parts diagram:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...& hg=64&fg=50

The compressor is moved in and out to adjust the belt tension via a
toothed hex nut (#8 called "idler" in the diagram). So you would loosen
all 3 of the fastener nuts (3 - #4's) and then turn the adjuster #8
clockwise to loosen the belt.

--
-Fred W

Thanks Fred, I'll try that.

Joe