are 400e drive belt tensioners junk?
 

hello
i just bought a 92 400e, 90k.

sadly the last owners were a bit sloppy about maint.

i had the drive belt replaced and now the belt squeals SO much on startup, i shut it off right away.
i'm having car towed to stealership. is this going to happen all the time?

wtf? my m103, 300e has had several belts put on and tensioner is fine @189k

did tech maybe do a sloppy/careless job on install?

how much will this little beauty set me back?

i looked at partsshop, but need part NOW

thanks

Lifetime of the tensioner is determined by age, heat, and environment (high ozone), since the active part is rubber. Mileage plays little part. Tensioners that rely on metal springs would probably last longer, with the bearing being the only real weak point.

Steve

thanks steve.

belt tensioner
 

Is the belt tensioner adjusted so that the indicator is in the correct range? Do you have a 124 Maintenance CD? If not, it's a great investment. See xhttp://skinnerbox.steaky.org/Service/W124/w124CD1/Program/Engine/119/13-3420.pdf (remove the x in front of the URL)

If the tensioner is not in the correct range, it's not providing enough (or too much) tension. You can crank the tension past the adjusters ability to function. Don't ask me how I know this ;-)

twins
 

Sounds like we have nearly the same cars, see "the twins" in my avitar.

This might help, if they have the same type that is.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=129793&highlight=tensioner+failure

thanks for the replies fellows.

this was done at the stealership, so i was surprised when it died. the tech did NOT mention a problem.

my favorite tech had it yesterday and is finishing it up today [major tune up, new brakes and rotors].

michael we do have a similar "fleet".
what are your interior colors? my wife is a "white" car person.

today i hope to have the car [back], i'm still waiting to "give it hell". just a bit.

thanks

Looks like you moved the Evo II's from your 300E to the 400E.

YES. yes, i did!


that was phase II.


you don't blame me do you?

you would have too, right?

my wife was a bit bummed, the 300 is her work/road car.

No, no I don't blame you. I'd have done the same.

In any event, I guess the 8 holers went back on the 300E, which look great.

Are you going with regular or 500E euro's?

regular euros.

they are more practical for me, with the fog lights

Exactly. That is why I installed the regular Bosch Euros on my 1993 300E (3.2).