boater59

Was pulling into the driveway (luckily) when I smelt smoke and burning rubber. With the engine still running I quickly raised the hood in time to witness the fan belt shred. Upon further inspection I saw where the pulley on the air pump (which I didn't know existed) was askew and frozen including the signs of burnt rubber where it took out the belt.


Upon doing some web searching I discovered the air pump and it's purpose, the expense of a new/rebuilt air pump, pulley replacement and air pump disabling/removal with shorter belt option which I want to do in the interim until I decide whether or not I want to replace it. I live in Virginia so no smog inspections like California (thank goodness).


No where I've found yet is a belt size/# for use w/o the pump and whether or not it could be gotten at the local parts store w/o having to order online and wait. Could care less about the quality just want to get it running for now.


Questions:



#1 - Is there a post providing R&R of the pump including blocking off the associated lines?


#2 - Is there a post that actually gives a good generic P/N for a shorter belt?


#3 - Do I really need a shorter belt? Read a post from a web search on one of the forums where a gent said his tensioner filled the slack of using the full size replacement belt...true or not?


#4 - If needed for proper application where do I look for the engine serial number?

Saijin_Naib

Just had this happen to me about oh, a month ago, on my 90 300ce.

1) Not sure

2) Yes plenty, but none of the belt lengths I found were correct and the shop had to figure it out by going belt by belt. If you're going to have it bypassed, have your shop measure the route using a length of twine, and then measure that twine. It'll be the closest possible measurement (well within what the tensioner can compensate for) and it'll cost less time and guesswork.

3) Read that same post. Shop said absolutely no way.

4) The EPC should give you all the salient details when you put your VIN in.
http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/login.jsp

After having my air pump removed, I've not noticed any adverse affects so far. Certainly nothing as adverse as having the bearing seize, the belt shred, and the idler pulley assembly melted to ****.

Be mindful that you may need to have your idler pulley replaced if it got melted at all by the extra friction.

boater59

So I've got the late '95 M104 (Aug 1995) with the automatic tensioner. My owners manual says the car takes the 2460mm normal belt? Haven't found any posts anywhere that mentions the 2445.


I've got the air pump removed completely and hose capped off. But I'm having a hard time finding a poly rib serpentine belt to fit without the pump. From what more I'm reading thru old vague posts on many boards is that my original belt is roughly 97 (2460mm) and that I should be looking for a belt that is in the 93-95 inch (2365-2415mm) length range or roughly 2-4 inches shorter than original.


Problem is I cant find any cross references or lists of belts to bounce against with the local autoparts stores. I'm trying to avoid back and forth running taking pot shots at sizes and frustrating the store clerks. Doesn't anybody with the '95 E320 with the auto tensioner have a part number for a belt that fits?


Once I do nail it I will definitely post what works for me so the next guy won't search fruitlessly thru all the posts that doesn't have the answer for this particular model especially since it seems to be so common on so many different year groups.

Saijin_Naib

As I suggested, trace the length out using twine (follow the path properly as indicated in this picture: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...grams-m104.jpg) and then look up a belt with that approximate length. That is the best way you can go about it.

Put your car/year/engine in here.
You'll get three parts: 5060975, 975K6, 975K6.
The 975 is the length, so you'll want a xx.x"k6 belt part number. Trace out the route and give them that number and ask for the closest belt if they don't have it exactly. For instance, I'd ask for a 940k6 or 945k6 for my car.
http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heat...e-control/belt

I'm using approximately a 94" 6-rib V belt, though that may mean absolutely nothing since you've got a different engine revision than I do.

boater59

First I corrected the owners manual belt size statement I had originally put 2460mm which is actually for the E"420" which under the E320 section is states 2445mm, and thanks Saijin I was already hot on the trail and using that same P/N series from Advance Auto.

Ok as mentioned the owners manual states for my 1995 E320 late year model (Aug 1995) with auto tensioner, A/C and air pump in the loop takes a 2445mm belt or 96.25 inches. So I'm going to first try one from Advance Auto P/N 950K6 which is 2415mm or 95.08 inches. Just in case I also picked up a 945K6 that is approx. 2401mm or 94.52 inches. Whichever fits comfortably the other gets returned at my leisure the next time I pass that way. Another P/N equal in length to the 950K6 which I'm guessing will be the right one is #5060950


Basically the span of this shortened belt attempt is 1.17 (#950K6) to 1.73 (#945K6) inches less than the original belt length stated above. I'll report back the results afterwards.


BTW I capped the air line off using a white rubber table leg or chair booty I had handy that just happened to fit nicely over the metal end after removing the short section of hose and I threw small clamp on it to hold it place.

boater59

Mystery solved. For my 1995 E320 application as stated above that uses the original 2445mm belt w/air pump , the step down in length part numbers with the air pump out of the picture are 950k6 or 5060950 in the 27-$30 price range you can find at your local Advance Auto or AutoZone. I installed 950k6 and it's a perfect fit. 5060950 is identical in length/width but a couple clicks more. The overall length for each is 2415mm/95.08 inches. So that's a belt reduction of 1.17 inches from the original length.


Now I can casually go about finding a pulley replacement for my pump as it turns okay once I straightened out the askew pulley wheel. Then the next time I'm in there underneath tackling the next issue I'll reinstall it.....then maybe not.

Saijin_Naib

Glad to hear you got it sorted! Interesting to note that we had such drastically different belt lengths, but that could be due to the different size of the 3/4 pulleys.

My thoughts on re-enabling the pump are don't bother. It is just another point of failure on a car that is 20+ years old.

boater59

Yeah I think you're right why bother. I'll hang onto the pump but I just don't see it going to California unless recycled as a toaster. Though I will look to replace the idler pulley especially now it's a little easier to get to.