w201 belt tensioner
 

Hi Guys,

I just got a new belt tensioner for my 85 190E 2.3L, it came with a new mounting bracket, I just can't install it right now, I have to get 3 longer screws to do so, but my concern is the amount of tension it should be set to.

Looking through the manual, it states that the tensioner should be adjusted by the tensioning screw on top from one end of the scale to the other.

Now the reason I got a new tensioner (pricey bugger) is that last time I tried to do this, I broke the ring that attaches the tensioner to the adjustment screw, in fact, I got another one, and that one broke too, and a few more after that until I got a feel for when it's going to break.

Now I put the new tensioner on, and I got the little indicator half way from one point on the scale to the other, and I'm quite sure if I adjust it anymore it will break the ring again.

Could anyone shed some light on this for me? Is there a safe way of adjusting it? Are the specs in the manual wrong?

I even tried loosening the alternator to get it to the other point, but it's not enough, so for now I left it at 50% of what the manual says, the belt feels tight as is.

Thanx everyone :)

xp190

Ignore the scale, just tighten the belt using the standard method until it feels tight enough. Which I find is roughly so you can almost pull the belt up to the distributor vacuum thingy

http://www.international-auto.com/im...51070000w1.jpg

Mike.

That's what I thought. :)

Thanx Mike :)