MY brother is is Arkansas or I would drive over and check it out. However he is having a problem that sounded wierd to me and I'm looking for enlightenment.

He said that it started running warmer than normal and the alternator light is flickering on and off. When he looked under the hood he said that the alternator belt seemd to be moving slower than the pullies were rotating. Is this possible without the belt getting burned up? I didn't know if there is a mechanism that could allow this to happen in a Merceds. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Stephen

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85 300D 305K miles WVO(105K so far), Mine
82 300SD 235K miles BIO-D, Wifes
96 F250 SC PSD 4X4 285K MILES BIO-D, Ours
89 BRONCO 182K MILES sold
Finally Compression Ignition Only!

This sounds like he needs to adjust the alternator belt, which IIRC also drives the fan/water pump.
If it is not tight, the alternator will not be able to output full current, and at low output, may cause the CHG light to come on intermittently.
If it slips when the fan cluch operates, the fan will not cool the radiator AND the water pump would not spin fast enough to circulate the coolant properly, exacerbating the overheating problem.

If the belt shows any sign of wear/damage, replace the fanbelt at that time. It is much more comfortable to replace at home in the workshop than on the side of the freeway while taking the family on an outing.

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Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

OK so my brother checked that belts and tighned everthing. No difference.

Then he got the bright idea to put some pressure on the alternator belt while it was idleing. The whole belt and pulley system stopped rotating while the engine kept right on running?????

Where is the missing link here?

Stephen

__________________
85 300D 305K miles WVO(105K so far), Mine
82 300SD 235K miles BIO-D, Wifes
96 F250 SC PSD 4X4 285K MILES BIO-D, Ours
89 BRONCO 182K MILES sold
Finally Compression Ignition Only!

Sounds like the crankshaft pulley is loose or the dampener has come apart. Or the key was left out of the dampener.

lucforce may be onto something. Don't RUN it! If the pulley lets loose it could take out quite a few other things. Just pushing on the belt should not be enough to stop the belt and pulley from turning UNLESS the lower pulley is toast.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)