A/C compressor drive belt

Hello Guys, does anyone know how to remove the A/C compressor drive belt on a 2005 745?


Thank you.

From what I've heard from the shop, you just cut it off (!), as there is no tensioner.
Installing a replacement belt will need a special BMW provided tool.

Originally Posted by yuril

From what I've heard from the shop, you just cut it off (!), as there is no tensioner.
Installing a replacement belt will need a special BMW provided tool.

I had to remove some screws from the back of the ac compressor and loosen the compressor for it to come off but no special BMW tools needed.

There is a tensioner on the AC belt

Originally Posted by MakaveliFaison

There is a tensioner on the AC belt

Not on all models, just found this out. My ac belt broke and week ago so I decided to replace it as well as the drive belt however, when I went to put the belt on there was a lot of slack and no way to tighten it as there was no belt tensioner, so I was stumped. Either the guy ordered the wrong belt or when my belt broke it snatched the tensioner off as well....not likely but I had no clue. The tensioner was not in the pan and where it should be bolted was caked with road debris and what not. After I read this post a few times I realized that on some models they put a AC belt tensioner and on some models they didn't, not sure of which ones but I am absolutely certain that I didn't drop a belt tensioner when the belt broke. I'll do so more digging because apparently this belt is not the standard one that the parts stores see when they do there search, only the ac belt that goes along with the belt tensioner comes up. I'll be back.

Originally Posted by CatsMeow

Not on all models, just found this out. My ac belt broke and week ago so I decided to replace it as well as the drive belt however, when I went to put the belt on there was a lot of slack and no way to tighten it as there was no belt tensioner, so I was stumped. Either the guy ordered the wrong belt or when my belt broke it snatched the tensioner off as well....not likely but I had no clue. The tensioner was not in the pan and where it should be bolted was caked with road debris and what not. After I read this post a few times I realized that on some models they put a AC belt tensioner and on some models they didn't, not sure of which ones but I am absolutely certain that I didn't drop a belt tensioner when the belt broke. I'll do so more digging because apparently this belt is not the standard one that the parts stores see when they do there search, only the ac belt that goes along with the belt tensioner comes up. I'll be back.

You do realize this thread is from 2010 right?

Originally Posted by Rookie2008

You do realize this thread is from 2010 right?

Ah yeah.......however my AC belt did not break in 2010, just the last week, when I did a search this was the only thread that I came across and it was inconclusive. After doing some research and found out that both members are correct, BMW outfitted some cars with belt tensioners for the AC belt and others with no belt tensioner. However when you order a belt the only one that comes up is for the setup with the belt tensioner. Nevertheless after half a day of working I have replaced my AC belt for the non AC belt tensioner setup.

Good Deal!

Originally Posted by CatsMeow

Ah yeah.......however my AC belt did not break in 2010, just the last week, when I did a search this was the only thread that I came across and it was inconclusive. After doing some research and found out that both members are correct, BMW outfitted some cars with belt tensioners for the AC belt and others with no belt tensioner. However when you order a belt the only one that comes up is for the setup with the belt tensioner. Nevertheless after half a day of working I have replaced my AC belt for the non AC belt tensioner setup.

did you replace the non tensioner belt without the tool? if so how did you do it. did you loosen the compressor?