are 400e drive belt tensioners junk?

[ebennz]

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

[sbourg]

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

[ebennz]

thanks steve.

[michaelrking]

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 ;-)

[michaelrking]

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

[wbain5280]

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

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