I always carry my 2 GI 30 cal ammo cans (the small ones) with me each full of tools. One has socket wrenches and associated tools and the other has combination wrenches, screwdrivers, Vise Grip, Etc.

These 2 boxes have enough tools to fix almost anything that can be fixed along the road. I had to change an axle in Nawlins one time and had all the tools I needed.

P E H

I carry no tools or fluids in my car just a cell phone and a AAA card.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Hattreasguy,

I fired the AAA 30 years ago when they would not pay to tow my MB to a garage where it could be repaired.

Just think how much money I saved in 30 years not paying AAA dues. Enough for the tow they wouldn't pay for and many more. And I don't have to pay for a cell phone either.

P E H

I used to have AAA insurance as well but they kept raising their prices so I went elsewheres. I only carry a little multitool thingy and a little bit of each fluid in my trunk. So far the only side of the road fix I've had to do is cut back a bad fuel return hose and cram it back on. It was leaking out so much it just hosed the hood down, it was splashing up onto the windshield as I drove....

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

I had the light switch go out in the Ford pickup once, and I was about 150 miles from home. The lights would come on and off, so me and brother just took back roads, and made it home safely...

Well what should I carry, a gallon of oil? If their is a leak that major I will stop and either fix it or get it towed. If a radiator hose comes off, I would have to have gallon of water at least, my coolent hoses and radiator are new so I don't think I will have a problem with them. If the belt breaks I'm out of luck and will need a tow anyway. I carry my leatherman wave tool, the way I look at it to stop a diesel from running either it will not be getting fuel or overheating. The fuel filters don't just clog, if you got a real bad tank of fuel maybe, but I always fill up at the same place, I don't see a new belt, hoses, and radiator causing problems. The reason for me having a cell phone is more for my safety, I will have to drive threw some bad areas of New Haven to get to college this fall, if I break down late at night I want to be able to just get a tow and get out of their.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The only bad areas of New Haven are north of LI sound. (Wooster St. not included)

Actually I do carry about a gallon of oil, just because the M1 came in 5qt containers. If the radiator hose just comes off you could put the hose & clamp back on, pour in a little water and go again. Yea belts are something which either works or you are SOL. Thankfully MB gave us two alternator/ water pump belts so if one fails you are still peachy keen. I wouldn't really care if the compressor or power steering belts break, not enough to stop a person. I agree with the point you are trying to make but on the other hand most of the simple things which will make you stop on the side of the road can also be patched up for a little while if you have the right tools and such.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

Well Jeff, that is the beauty of the 123. Duplicate belts and failure of any one of them will not stop the vehicle. Now, poor Hatterasguy and myself are stuck with a vehicle that has ONE belt that operates EVERYTHING .

Now that I have again realized this, to my chagrin, I will now go out and change it. Let's see if I can get it done in 30 minutes...................

Doh, well I hope you don't have that same tensioner we do. It cost my car a week of downtime before.... Remember to undo all pinch bolts, but my problem was the nut and bolt were seized together so I twisted the bolt apart trying.

__________________
Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

Finished. I followed the new procedure where you don't remove anything and feed the belt in and over the tensioner.

But, unfortunately, I pulled a "TURBODIESEL"

I tried to feed the belt over the tensioner so that it came out between the water pump and the alternator. It almost works. However, the belt is about 1/2 inch too short! Glad that it was short. It would have never had sufficient wrap on the crank.

So, when you properly get the belt to go over the tensioner and out between the alternator and the crank, you are all set.

The old belt certainly ran to the end of its life. There was a section, about 1/2 inch length, without any ribs at all. The only thing keeping it together was the outer shell. Am I lucky or what?

BTW, this is another example of a part that is best procured from the dealer. The OEM belt looks to be much better constructed and has a tough outer shell. The aftermarket belt has a smooth outer shell and clearly is not as good.

Jeeze, I guess so.

__________________
Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k