is there a way to make the serpentine belt loop a bit smaller?

I am almost there...have the tensioner all the way over but, I can't get that extra 1/4 to 1/2 inch to mount it. This is all as a result of a tensioner pulley destruction...is there a way to change the alternetor position so I can get a bit more slack?????

thanks in advence

1995 e320 wagon newer type tensioner.

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I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him. -Galileo Galilei, physicist and astronomer (1564-1642)

nestorb98, it sounds to me that you may have the serpentine belt routed incorrectly. Best to check the routing versus the diagram in the Owner's Manual under "Layout of Poly-V-belt Drive". With the proper length belt, the proper belt routing, and the tensioner installed correctly there is ample slack to install the new belt.

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Fred Hoelzle

Try another pulley as the last one you are installing the belt on. The belt on my 97 C280 was difficult to install requiring a shuffle. Also, be sure the belt is sitting in all grooves, it only takes a few to make it make the belt look too short.

Compare the bent numbers, there are a few belts on these engines. Do you have a belt driven AIR ( emissions ) pump? That affects belt length.

I just replaced the belt on my M104. At first, I too thought the belt I bought was too short. It was definitely shorter than the original belt I replaced, because of stretch.

The new one will not go on unless everything is perfect. The tensioner must be backed off all the way... the belt must be in all the grooves, except for the last pulley. Choose the last pulley for final mounting that has the least arc around it. I think that was the topmost one. Even then, I had to help the belt onto the final grooves by prying.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Well...I just read my original post and I can't believe I have two spelling mistakes...shows how frustrated I've been.

I gave up with this. This is the fourth time I've had issues with tensioners, belts and such so I've reduced this problem to the following: Mercedes made two different size tensioner pulleys. The diameters are about 1/2 inch different. I think that somehow in the changeover some of the parts were kept for some models and some were not. When Peachparts shipped this pulley the parts were listed properly. But, since the diameter of the replacement part is slightly bigger and does not fit, and the diameter of the old part was smaller and did fit, the error is in the way that the part number for the given VIN# was catalogued or the part was placed in the wrong box. To prove this it would be necessary to fit the old pulley back on, unfortunately the bearings were kaput and all that's left is a metal donut... That said, the old pulley was on the motor for at least fifty thousand miles. So I assume that the reason I can't make this serpentine belt fit (and believe me it is routed properly, all the grooves are in the proper place, the old belt was only a year old and so the belt sizes are identical... I did order a new one just in case), is due to the difference in pulley size.

But what do I know!

I will now have a series of Absolut Martinis and get to this again on monday!

Thanks to all for your feedback.

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I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him. -Galileo Galilei, physicist and astronomer (1564-1642)

if you don't back off nearly all the way on the tensioner...you will have problems ..... but you can't back off and lose the threads on the tensioner , either... .. i usually split the difference an pry the rest on with a long screwdriver... i think i use the power steering pulley for leverage.... i know it's on the right hand or driver's side where i use the screwdriver... up on top..

been frustrated a number of times

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

nestorb98, a Parts Department rep at your local MB dealer should be able to tell you the diameter of the tensioner pulley for your 1995 E320 wagon. If the replacement tensioner has the proper size pulley recommend installing the belt over that pulley last. I typically use an 18" long breaker bar to rotate the tensioner when installing the drive belt. The newer style tensioner on the 1995 E320's is certainly far easier to deal with than the older style with the tensioner rod and pointer.

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Fred Hoelzle

I am happy to report the following:

I reordered the smaller tensioner pulley and it worked perfectly. I am still wondering why the catalog calls for the bigger one and I recall having the very same issue with Phil years ago.

When the pulley froze, the action caused the serpentine belt to come off, break off one of the fan blades, and cause a crack on the upper left pulley.

As the water pump stopped spinning the overheated liquid coolant forced the coolant overflow to over pressurize and blow.

Amazing what a thirty dollar failed part can do!

Wagon is now running perfectly after I obtained all new parts from Pelican and except for one teeny tiny issue which I will adress in another post, this 240,000 mile should make it to 500,000 miles...thanks to all!


nestorb98

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I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him. -Galileo Galilei, physicist and astronomer (1564-1642)