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#1
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Holy Easy Job Batman! Belt change on C230!
My dealer wanted $144 to change the poly-v-belt on my 1998 C230. Well, that motivated me to learn how to change this thing myself. I've changed lots of belts in my day, but nothing without the 'ol "slot" type of belt tightener. This thing was a challenge.
I went to the store and bought an E10 External Torx socket bit, and rooted my 3/8" drive Snap-On handle out of the bottom of my tool-box. With some trepidation, I put the bit on the tensioner, attached the handle, and pushed. Viola! Tension was released! I slipped the belt off the pulley, and let go of the handle. I put the new belt on, except for one pulley, and pushed on the socket handle again, releasing the tension. I put the belt over the last pulley and let go of the handle. It took less time to do it than to write this. The old belt is reasonable shape, but we're heading into far-off lands and I wanted to be leaving with a new belt on-board. I put the old belt in with the spare tire and put the E10 bit and small handle in the OE tool kit. When I get my film developed I'll scan the pics and maybe a DIY thing could be posted... In the future, anyone with an M111 equipped W202 C-Class should NOT be paying big sums for this job...
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John Shellenberg 1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif |
#2
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I can't believe they'd try charging that much to do it. $144, just in labor? It pays less than .5 hours (American, eh)
Gilly ps, That was $144 Canadian? How much in US? |
#3
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Quote:
On the six-cylinder cars it might be tougher, given less clearance. But, on the aspro four, it's about the easiest DIY job I've done yet. I'd rather change that belt than crawl upside down under the dash to change the cabin dust filter, and the dealer only charges 1 hour labour for that job. I figure with my DIY brake jobs, A and B services, belt change and so on, I've probably saved $3,000 in service labour costs in two years. Geez, Gilly, this site might hurt the MB techs incomes!
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John Shellenberg 1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif |
#4
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Your dealer is off in la-la land somewhere. An HOUR to replace a 202 dust filter? Try .2 or .3, that's book on it.
Gilly |
#5
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Way to go John. I figured it worked the same way as the E320.
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Jim |
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