I have my C280 almost put back together after replacing the water pump...the problem is that I cannot get the new belt on.

I have moved the power steering pump out of the way, loosened the Tensioning Pulley, BUT everything I do....gets me NO room to get this belt on.

What's the trick? My directions simply say, loosen tension pulley slowly and swivel clockwise....I did that but it gets me NO extra room for the belt....

My 95, E320 is simple as it has a tensioning screw with pointers....WHAT IS THERE ON THE W202, 1996 C280? Is there a screw or adjustment somewhere?

Thanks for any help....

My 95 E320 wagon has a simple spring loaded tensioner. I searched for an hour or two for the clamp bolt and adjuster and there is none. Then somewhere on this site I saw mention of the spring loaded type tensioner on later models. I just put a (13mm?) socket on the pulley bolt and pulled the ratchet clockwise . The tensioner mover and and all the tension was off the belt. It was almost too easy. Perhaps yours is the same?

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Tim Benner

00 ML320 170K
95 E320 wgn 160K

Is your tensioner like this?



The last person that I helped with a similar problem found out that the belt he purchased was the wrong one...a little shorter than the old one.

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1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible

Thanks for the replies.....I have also searched for what the CD's say is there and nothing to be found.....

I said what the hell, put a wrench on the tension pulley and pushed..hard...an kabamm....she moved and my lovely wife slipped the belt on...

But now I have a new problem...Installed the water pump, new belt and cleaned things up..went to import store and bought MB Antifreeze, the nice pink kind.....well I was so excited to start the car that I poured in 1 bottle of new fluid FORGETTING that I had not yet flushed the system of the old, green fluid....

Am I in trouble? or simply flush the system and start over with new fluid.....I only let the car run for 2 minutes so I dont even know if the new pump and thermo are working correctly....the belt sure is....thanks for the pic...it showed me exact;y where to push

Surely when you replaced the water pump all of the old coolant will have drained out of the block and the disconnected radiator hoses. Happened to me on my recent water pump replacement on my 2.8 litre M104.

All you'd have to do now that it's reassembled is use some citric acid flush and refill with the correct coolant again.

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Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

OK...for the thread sake and any future W202 Water Pump questions i am building the DIY that I did and will add to the thread....

As far as the coolant surely running all out....didn't think that would be possible with so many lower pipes, hoses, lower radiator and the block itself....

But, it seems that you are correct as I started to bleed the system and only saw pink.....no old yeller coming out...not sure if when I started it that any old yeller from other low spots wasn't mixed....

Anyway, seems to be fine now so going to go for a while before flushing...

The tension pulley is different then most as it does NOT have a small rod coming out from the pulley like the above pic posted with the nice wrench to move the tensioning device....

With this model you must take the tension pulley off, or push on the pulley iteself which is not too safe...