If there is a shock, it would be attached to the bottom of the tensioner. Look from the underside to see if the shock is fitted. I seem to recall that the early 2.3 US spec cars came without a shock, and then Mercedes came out with a service bulletin detailng info of adding a shock. Your 1.8 may have come without a shock installed.

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Mercedes Benz Master Tech - Retired

I've been trying to trace a rattle and after doing a lot of searching I have decided to have a look at the sepentine tensioner shock. Only there doesnt seem to be one. I've looked a couple of times and cant find it!

Either I'm looking in the wrong place or the 1.8 doesnt have one or its been removed?

The only other thread I found was a an owner of a 1.8 who also couldnt find the shock!

Here's a pick of the tensioner, looks like an aftermarket one as the adjustment marker is a triangle. Looks like it needs a new belt as the old one is cracked. If someone could say where abouts the tensioner is in relation to this photo that would be helpful.
Thanks

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This is a picture of the tensioner arm and idler, and one end of the shock attaches to the arm, underneath the idler. This end would not be visible from above, with the belt in place. I forget where the other end teminates, but perhaps the alternator bracket.

Steve

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'91 MB 190E 2.3
'08 RAV4 Ltd 3.5
'83 Lazy Daze m'home 5.7

Thanks for the replies.
I've had another look and have taken a couple of photos. I've just discovered a new use for my digital camera, looking at hard to see places.

I'm fairly positive there is no shock. I guess this means it cant be rattling!

I'm now wondering if I should bother putting one in?

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Another Pic

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sbourg,
if the shock does attach to the alternator mount this could be the place.

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You should get a shock, it has to be retro fitted and it was a recall I believe on these engines.

The picture you have there of the tensioner with the two holes is the mount point for a bracket that holds the shock. The other end of the shock attaches to another bracket which is on the bottom left of the oil pan, so the shock goes real close to the crank shaft pulley right under it. I was a bit worried when I was intalling mine since it was so close, but it does the trick.

The rattling is usually caused by the belt, the shock is there to reduce it, but when the shock fails, or wears out, the tensioner starts to rattle again, this is what happened to me, without the shock, I think the tensioner would rattle enough to cause the belt to fall off.

xp

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1985 190E 2.3L - a constant project.

Looking at a Haynes manual for a W124, for the bottom shock configuration it shows the tensioner shock attached at one end to a location at the 7 o'clock position relative to the crank pulley and at the other end an arm with two holes that extends below the tensioner. No picture detail on the upper shock configuration but it does mention that one end attaches to the alternator bracket. It also discusses a configuration with no shock.

Have you checked with MB if a tensioner shock is available for your chassis number? The part system should come back with a part number or N/A.

I hope that helps.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I beleive your belt is way past due. I suggest you change it ASAP. Just my 0.02 cents

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Meza
1993 190E 2.6
Advanced Diesel Systems Test and Research Engineer

Thanks guys,
There is a shock available for the 1.8, German&Swedish catalogue shows it being the same part for 1.8-2.3 engines. The part is only £18 so I'll get one. It definately needs a new belt also.
I'll have to drive up net weekend and get the bits.
I'll post the results.

Installing a shock on your engine is going to require more parts than just a shock. You are also going to need the mounting brackets and hardware to go along with the shock.

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Mercedes Benz Master Tech - Retired

Oh dear..
Its managed 80,000 miles without a shock. Makes me wander the purpose of it. The only reason I think I should fit one is to quiet down the engine a bit.
I'll try and contact a dealer and see if there was a recall and if so what the procedure for putting on a shock bracket etc.

Pics #1 & #3 look right, I think. You shouldn't need any brackets, but you will need the bolts and possibly some associated hardware. My guess is that with a new belt, you will not get enough vibration to need the shock. Be forwarned that the tensioners themselves fail with age. The rubber torsion element crumbles, slacking the belt, and it is then easy to break the tensioner adjuster mechanism trying to get it tight again.

Steve

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'91 MB 190E 2.3
'08 RAV4 Ltd 3.5
'83 Lazy Daze m'home 5.7

I think youre right about the brackets.
I was studying my haynes manual last night and it says some engines have the tensioner above the idle wheel some below and some dont have it at all!

I think I'll just get a belt to start off with and see what happens, I will try to ask a dealer for an apinion also (not that I think they will know any more than the people on this forum).

I've heard the tensioners break and it looks like the one I have is an aftermarket one. Seems like changing the belt is a risky business!