1998 W210 frozen pulley, belt off OUT OF LUCK! good DIY 8mm fan clutch TOOL
 

Hi Folks,

I'm in a bit of a pickle.. After a nice 3 hour drive home on the highway I got off my exit and stopped at light. At idle I start hearing some funky belt noises. I go through the light and start heading the 3 miles home.

The squeaking gets really loud. My "battery charge" CEL comes on, no power steering, and my temp starts to jump up.

I pull over and I can see that the belt is not moving while the engine is running.. NOT GOOD...

Since Im only a mile from the house I slowly keep going keeping the temp under 100C. For no reason I could tell the squeaking stopped and all the accessories came back temp went back to 80 and Power steering came back.

I got it home popped the hood and can see and hear the belt flapping a bit as if it was loose. I turned it off and see the problem. The tensioner pulley (or bearing) had frozen and somehow moved forward toward the RAD blades. The belt jumped over it on to the shaft of the pulley (since now there was somewhere for it to go. That was the reason I made it home but the belt is shot (but still together).

Now the big question.

How do I replace this pulley? Where to get it before MON

Do I have to pull the RAD to install this piece?

Once I get the part how do I release the tensioner to put the belt back on?

I may have to go to MB to get the part today so if yall know the part number shoot it over so I can go get it.

Here is a shot of my pulley.

All help is appreciated!!

thanks Chris

give a call on my Cell if you like 904-316-8513

only way to maybe get a replacement pully on that short of notice is the dealership. or try your luck at the junk yard.

I have a 96e300d, and according to the shop manual, it states that you have to remove the fan only. You may be able to do the job without removing the fan, but I have never made that repair, so I can not tell you from experience. According to the diagram, the pulley rides on a center pin that is screwed into the crankcase, and it looks like the pulley is held in place by a bolt that screws into that center pin. Both of these bolts have covers over them. As for releasing the tensioner, your photo shows the upper radiator hose, and right next to it is a bolt that goes through that black plastic piece. Remove the nut on the end of that bolt, and push the bolt towards the rear so that it clears the plastic piece. This will allow that piece to pivot. There is a hole in that plastic piece where you can use a small extension bar to apply leverage so that you can replace the belt, and then reposition the plastic piece so that it realigns with the bolt you pushed to the rear. Push the bolt trough the hole, and reattach the nut. Good luck

Yeah,

I kinda figured that... How do I get the fan and shroud off so I can get to the pulley?

thanks Chris

I found this link which I hope is very helpful.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/158069-r-r-viscous-coupled-fan-serpentine-belt-replacement-w210-e300d.html?highlight=radiator+fan+removal

Ill replace the fan clutch as well since I know it is bad...

If there are any other helpful hints not included in this let me know.

thanks Chris

Answer
 

1995 E300D belt tensioner
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/289212-1995-e300d-belt-tensioner.html




.

If the tensioner is the same as the 603, you might have a bad tensioner assembly, not just the pulley. For it to be at that angle it seems that either the arm is bent, bearing is shot, or the front cover/chain cover is bent/broken.

Check everything down there before ordering parts.

Update
 

Good talking with you on the phone.

FYI other members:
This is his daily driver, and he needs it back on the road asap.

Due to the urgent need for repair on this (MLK) holiday weekend, I suggested contacting.

Continental Imports
1219 S. Main St.
Gainesville, FL 32601 USA
(352) 377-6604
http://www.continentalimports.com

I was looking over this link and I think I can make this happen but now trying to find this "SHORTY" 8mm HEX socket.

Any clue where to find one? I hit all the chain parts places in my area and no luck.

Anybody have any ideas?


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...or+fan+removal

You can always hacksaw a piece off an 8mm allen wrench and stick it into either a 8mm box wrench or 1/4" drive 8mm socket.

every time i read a post like this it makes me want to keep every weird tool i ever come across and then go out and buy some more!!:eek:

funny you mentioned hacking up an allen...

Ive been doing that for about an hour and not getting very far even with new blades...HAHA

Hopefully you are using blades intended for cutting metal. I have had no trouble cutting up Craftsman allen wrenches in the past - maybe some brands are hardened more than Sears though. I last cut one up to get out a motor mount on a 240D.

Additionally, you do not need to remove the fan for this job. The fan blades have different sized spacing on 2 or 3 blades. Find that larger openning, pull the clips positioning the radiator and pull the rad forward a 1/2" or so. Ought to give you enough room to get the hex bit on the roller pulley. Removing the rad cross member and horn bracket will give you even more room to work.

Well... since it SUN afternoon and not much else to do I remembered I had a dremel tool. A few cut off discs gave their life but I cut up an 8mm allen wrench taped it up stuck it in a deep socket connected a long extension..

Now I have my tool...YEAH!!!

Busted out my strap wrenches since the belt was not doing much good got it good and tight and with a bit of ebow grease.. Got it out!!

I was concerned about getting that big hex nut out but since the belt was off the water pump I just turned it in the opposite direction while holding the bolt with my new tool and the bolt just came out.

SWEET!!! The pisser is that I have to wait a few days to get the parts from anywhere even the STEALERSHIP... even though I wont go there.

Here are some pics.