Can anyone walk me through the proper procedure for removal and retightening the serpentine belt?
Thanks!
Greyghost

I have detailed info on the belt tighting procedures for a 92 300 E. They may be the same. Not sure

1. unclip the fan shroud, hang over the fan.
2. secure the fan pulley from behind using a piece of 1/4" steel rod, bend at a 90 degree angle 1/4" from the end.
3. remove the fan using a 8mm allen socket, or use an 8mm allen wrench with a 12mm deep socket on a breaker bar.
4. Loosen the big 19mm bolt clamping the front of the belt tensioner, at least one full turn.
5. Loosen the 13mm adjusting nut on the top of the belt tensioner until the tensioner is slack.
6. Remove belt.
7. Reset the indicator pointer on the front of the tensioner to the bottom of the ramp cast onto the tensioner.
8. Tighten the adjusting nut until the pointer is at the top of the ramp.
9. Tighten the 19mm bolt (75 Nm).
10. Reinstall the fan (45 Nm on the 8mm allen bolt), remembering to slip the fan shroud back over the fan before installing the fan, remove the fan pulley holding rod.
11. Install the fan shroud.

I have a 98 E300 turbo diesel.


My serpentine belt had 96K on it, with 199K on the engine (ie I replaced the belt once before).

The engine was making a chirping sound in the morning, on the old belt.

I replaced the belt and the chirping sound didn't go away.

Last night, it starting squeeling when the air conditioner was on. I turned the air conditioner off and the sound went away. This morning, with air conditioner off there is no noise at idle. When I rev the engine or accelerate, the squeeling sound is very loud, with air conditioner off.

I think the problem is the pulley in the center of all the other pulleys.

I read somewhere to put water on the belt to make sure the belt is not slipping.

I would appreciate someone's advice.