hi everyone. i have a 1999 c280 (m112) that lately has a grinding noise from the serpentine belt area in cold mornings. but this morning the noise was a lot worse and didn't go away. i took a look at the area and one of the pulleys was vibrating noticeably, and when i turned the car off it had some play when feeling with my hand. what is the pulley in the picture called, the one where the arrow is pointing (has 4 bolts around the center outing)? can i drive the car like that for a couple of days? am i looking at a big bill? my mechanic is out of town until wednesday. any suggestions would be very appreciated.

Attached Images

M112.bmp (57.3 KB, 117 views)

Thats your belt tensioner.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=202089&M=112%2E920&GA=722%2E606&GM=717%2E465&CT=M&cat=19X&SID=20&SGR=045&SGN=03

Should be fairly easy to R & R.

Click Buy Parts Tab above to find part cost.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Anyone any idea on how would I go about doing that? would I have to replace the whole assebly or just the pulley?

Pulley
http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=fkxmyp45qcqxswvyzdsvgk2g&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1356296@C280&year=1999&cid=pulley@pulley&gid=8910@Idler%20Pulley/Roller

Belt Tensioner
http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=fkxmyp45qcqxswvyzdsvgk2g&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1356296@C280&year=1999&cid=belt%20tensioner@belt%20tensioner&gid=8921@Accessory%20Belt%20Tensioner%20Assembly

replace the whole thing. I wouldn't even consider just a pulley job.

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

I wouldn't even consider doing the whole thing. In fact if they charged any more for the pulley, I would just change the bearings.

__________________
Thanx,
Alberta Luthier
1983 300CD ('Stinky')155k miles, 2.47 diff, EGR removed, AAZ injectors with 265 nozzles from Sean,and vogtland lowering springs.
1984 300SD ('Old Blue')150k Klicks from Japan originally, came with rear head rests, no sunroof and never had an EGR

well, lee and Alberta, you guys are both making statements and no reasons as to why should I do one and not the other. And I guess my question is: Is the thing easy to work on or is it something that I need to send my car at the mechanic for? I wanna get an advice from you guys before I even attempt to open and work on the thing.

thanks in advance,

here is how i made my conclusion.

first of all i do my own work..so it's the price of the part from one of the wholesale vendors.

then... the belt tensioner tends to be a wear item.. your car is 9 years old.

then i look at the price difference of the part.

Finally, i decide how long I am going to keep it.


This should not be more than a 90 minute job.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-06-Mercedes-Benz-Belt-Tensioner-Adjuster-1122000970_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38656QQihZ022QQitemZ350013265618QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
(copy and paste this link)

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

appreciate your replies

Ah email and forums... I should have used a smiley to show I was grinning. Hope I have not offended anyone.
I am frugal, o.k. cheap. Although I don't like spending money, I really don't like doing jobs twice.
So I suggest you check availability of parts first, then start early in the day, get it off and see exactly what is worn. Then decide what parts to change. If you can save $100 by adding 15 minutes to the job you might want to just do the pulley or if you have changed bearings lots or your buddy has, maybe just the bearing.
Sort of depends what your time is worth. And if you like this stuff or find it to be a pain.

__________________
Thanx,
Alberta Luthier
1983 300CD ('Stinky')155k miles, 2.47 diff, EGR removed, AAZ injectors with 265 nozzles from Sean,and vogtland lowering springs.
1984 300SD ('Old Blue')150k Klicks from Japan originally, came with rear head rests, no sunroof and never had an EGR