Strange Noise Started Tonight
 

I have a 1992 300E with the 2.6 motor. It's been running great since I got it, but then tonight as I got home it started acting up. As I'm driving through my apartment complex I hear a noise like a firecracker going off in the distance. Once I turned down my music and rolled down my windows I hear a sound like belts squealing. That went away after about 10 seconds and then it turned to a noise like putting cards in the spokes of a bicycle as I continued down the street. I parked it, turned it off, and restarted it, and the noise continued. It's not super loud, but gets a bit louder as the RPM's increase.

Any ideas? Thanks for the help.

I would check the idler pulley on the serpentine belt. (it has one, right?)


Tom W

A few weeks ago my distributor cover, the black plastic square shaped piece at the front of the engine, broke loose and was hitting the engine fan. I would check for anything hitting the fan, and also the auxilliary fan(s) up in front of the radiator.

Sounds like something is wrong with your belt system. Either the tensioner or some pulley has failed and the fan belt is about to be shredded.

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280
1990 LS400

sounds like your serpentine belt shredded.

Agree with the others, and if you have a hydraulic damper strut attached to your belt tensioner I'd check the connecting bolts are OK.