Vehicle in question is an 83 245DL w/ a/c and power steering. Never use the a/c but the compressor "freewheels" and provides drive to power steering pump.

After doing water pump job, replaced two innermost belts, ones that drive alternator and coolant pump.

No problem, got good tension, all seemed well.

The problem arose as I put back together the pulley and belt that drives the a/c compressor. This is a two piece pulley, with shims to allow one to vary the tension. Not very Swedish-looking.... Had had no problems getting correct tension on the belt to the compressor last time I'd had it off, when replacing broken timing belt 1 1/2 years ago.

This time, I simply couldn't get enough tension on the belt, even w/all the shims out and pulley groove as narrow as possible. Seemed way stretched, or I'd goofed.

Am I missing something here/getting it (way two piece pulley works) backwards? People do drive on the left in some places....

Localest Volvo specialist I spoke to on the phone said I was on the right track, simply needed an undersized belt as mine was stretched to the max. He had a selection, a belt-tension measurer, blah blah. "I'll hook you up."

Got over there after my backup ride showed up, showed him the belt, said he had nothing shorter, wished me good luck.

I put a "fractional HP" (US measurement) belt on from the hardware store (guy thought I was off my rocker, of course) and drove 50 miles home. Belt w/o grooves, not automotive no cord reinforcement, but didn't break.

Any comments? Unfortunately, seem to have misplaced the VOLVO factory belt that was "too loose" so I don't have a model to take to generic auto parts store.

It was also nicely marked w/ good accurate metric measurements.

Thanks in advance for any help.

--Frank

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Franck 83 245