While I was on the Tow Truck, the driver told me of a 240D he towed last week that dropped a crankshaft pulley the other night--a 240D just like mine.
When I lifted the hood, (1) the outermost Crankshaft pulley had come off, taking the boltheads with it but leaving the bolt stems in the part left on the crankshaft--the part still held on by the big nut. (2) The fan blade had cracked. (3) The A/C condenser was scarred badly.(4) All the belts had been ripped off
What is the best way to take the inner pulley off so I can take out the bolt stems still in there? I tried locking the engine in gear (manual transmission) figuring that would lock the engine, but it didnt. That nut is on thier very tightly. Remember I'm an amateur so please dont laugh but I dohave some ability and patience and most of all luck.

Carrameow,

Do you have a neighbor who has an air compressor and a 1/2" impact wrench? This would be the best way to get the nut loose.

The failure you experienced sounds bizarre. I hope Benzmac or MBDoc will chime in on this one and tell if they have seen a failure like this before. It's sounds so bizarre to me, that I'm not sure I believe the tow truck driver saying that he say the same thing a few weeks ago. Of course, I only see my own cars, the guys in the MB shops have seen most everything, we may find that this happens all the time, if so, I'll be surprised, as well as out examining my pulleys for cracks.

Keep on working through your problem and don't worry about being a beginner. The people on this website will help however they can. Don't get discouraged about your 240D either, you're just hitting a string of bad luck. Get past this, keep your car in shape and it'll run for a long time.

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I usually cut a block of wood (oak is preferable to softer material)to a suitable length and place it in back of the counterweight, wedged between one of the projections on the counterweight and the water pump housing. I have experienced failures of this nature on Mercedes diesels installed in marine applications. Sometimes folks overtorque the fasteners and over time they will fail at the highest point of stress (right under the head).

I have seen this, but in most cases the end of the crank is in the pulley still. The pins usually round off the crank and then shear it. If your crank is OK, go and play the Lotto. You are lucky!!!! These are good engines, but they shake and break things loose from time to time.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Hi folks!

You are not going to believe this!
This morning my crankshaft pulley decided to give up the ghost! All of my belts were intact, except that the two alternator belts were twisted around the big pulley. I ended up finding the big bolt with its three washers laying in the fan shroud. Needless to say I am shocked and somewhat devistated. There is approximately an inch of threads left on the bolt (with the washers still on). The bolt looks like it either broke or was sheared off...I wish I knew what kind of damage I am looking at (to the car as well as my wallet) The towtruck driver already got me for 50 miles of tow. What would cause this? I replaced the two alt. belts last week, but I did not mess with that big ole pulley, nor did I (in my opinion) overtighten the belts, after all there was an alternator at risk.

thanks for any comments and help!

-Larry (w/o my 300D )

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03/83 300D
07/73 280

First, thank you Benzmac. Fixing my car took me off the Internet.
Second, that pulley is supposed to be pretty expensive! Try to get it second hand.I just picked one up for $50 today.
In 10 minutes I'll start the job and should have more to say.
For Parts thru Mail--get the Water Pump pulley at where else--MERCE DES SHOP-- why go to a dealer--they hardly give free tech advice!

I forgot to mention that the pulley appears to be allright, at least as far as I can see anyway...my concern is the fact that the bolt busted in two, and what the heck happened to the other 5 or 6 allen head bolts? It was suggested that the crank may have to come out! AAhhhhh!

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03/83 300D
07/73 280

Benzmac would know ultimately, from what i remember from rebuilding mine is that the undercarriage and transmission mating- to- engine arrangement means the whole engine and trans has to come out if the crank indeeds to have to come out. The timing chain might as well be replaced when the crank is taken out. This might run you equal to the price of the car.
When my engine siezed last year I was 39 & rebuilt it myself but that was more an act of passion and a prelude to turning 40. Right now I barely have enuff energy to make it thru a day.

Carremeow,

Crankshaft pulley on my 80 240D (totaled at 185 kmi 4 1/2 yrs ago) came off in same manner abour 12 - 15 years ago. Dealer mechanic replaced pulley, radiator, belts, hoses, etc. This mishap is not as rare as we thought, is it?

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D

RECALL ALERT !!!!!

Hi folks. Sorry to hear about your pulleys.
There was a recall in '79 for the '79 300D Potential number od cars affected : 3795
Summary: crankshaft pulley could separate from mounting plate..... go to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recmmy5.cfm

Defective pulleys will be replaced at no charge to owner.

GO FIGURE !
Look up your car model and do it justice!



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1979 300D
133K miles
1989 300SE
1995 C280