'09 XC90 3.2 R-type; 127K

My serpentine belt is aged with some visible cracking on the underside. I just did an AC compressor swap, so I am not keen on breaking it all down and doing the whole serp belt and pulley/tensioner service.

SO, is there a way to snake on a new belt without removing the water pump/PS coupling and the AC compressor? Can I just take the high pressure line off the PS pump and sneak the belt behind there and get it around everything else? The idler pulley bearings feel good as does the tensioner pulley (tested them out when I had the compressor out).

I know this is not the right thing to do, but I am also curious in terms of "roadside repair" if this is even possible.

 

Nope, not enough room

 

Is that from attempted experience or an opinion?
Thanks!

 

The ac compressor is unbolted/moved to the side with just a few bolts (3 or 4) - is that an option for you? Unfortunately if you have a mechanical power steering pump - that thing is in the way!

Last time I removed a 3.2 compressor - was less than an hour to remove and replace ( leaving the freon lines installed, I replaced the clutch for an additional 20 minutes - must have been slow that day!)

So are you sure you want to do all this (I understand you just replaced your compressor) and not replace the water pump and pulleys and ps drive thingy?

While you are there - make sure your 2 one way clutches still work - bad stuff happens if they don't.

 

I see.

I just did the compressor myself, quick job.
I looked around while I had everything out of the way and thought maybe if I disconnected the high pressure line from the PS pump I could sneak the belt behind the PS/water pump (without removing them) and snake the belt around all the other tensioners/pulleys without removing them. Then finally around the compressor pulley at the end (had also though about unbolting compressor without disconnecting refrigerant lines).

I guess it is not possible...

 

Yes you can easily move the compressor without disconnecting lines.

 

I don't know how you think you can get the belt around the power steering/water pump pulley without removing the power steering pump.

 

Would you mind sharing some more information about it. I would like to know how to move the compressor without disconnecting lines. Thank you!

 

Yeah, looked at an engine diagram more closely and it is not possible. Power steering pump has to come out, and if I'm doing that may as well do the entire job properly. Poor design IMO, you are pretty screwed if you throw a belt in the middle of nowhere.

 

Remove the compressor bolts and whatever metal brackets are holding it down, unplug the two plugs, take the belt loose, then undo the clamp marked #3 in the diagram - there will be enough room to swing the compressor up - sort of out of the way with the hoses still connected.