I guess this is more of a rant than any asking for tech help. I noticed when I was running the AC in my car to defrost I could not tell if the compressor was running. I suspected not but really did not think twice.

Then today I was making an aggressive pass on the interstate and she light up like a Christmas tree. I knew what that meant and got home right away.

Thats when I noticed both the AC and Alt belt. The AC belt is M.I.A. and the alt belt was still in the bay but damaged. Probably from the fan.

Because of location I go to Autozone and get those Duracrap products. Not any more! I have had the worst luck with belts on this car! In all my years I have never had to replace belts while I owned other vehicles. I would put new ones on and never touch them again, unless to tighten after initial stretch.

Well I know what tonights project will be!

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

6000rpm can put a bit of strain on belts, especially if over tightened or if the accessories are not moving freely.

We've never had a belt issue on any of our cars..... my 300SD belts squeal a bit when first started as they are worn/too loose for the alternator load....they've got 65k on them and are being replaced soon.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I didn't even know a Duralast belt was available for an MB. What do the markings say?

In any event you shouldn't be surprised. MBs go through the belts quickly anyway. If you don't buy the Contis you may expect early failure.

I wasn't aware there was any alternative other than Continental for MB belts, perhaps that's why I've never had a failure.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Heck, belts are universal. They are just 6 rib belts. My car uses belts that also fit a 93 explorer, numerous chevy SB engines and plenty others..

Nothing special about them at all.

rjp

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03 540I (GAK!!)
81 280E (W123)
70 LeMans Sport with pissed off Poncho 462"
1989 Silverado Step Side (under the knife- complete restomod)

PS- modern serpentine belts and hoses can literally last the life of the car assuming they aren't contaminated with oils-

GM considers belts and hoses as "lifetime" and to be only replaced as needed on inspection.

With that said, one radiator hose on my car is just now starting to burn through at 170K miles- found a soft spot on it. Others are fine.

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03 540I (GAK!!)
81 280E (W123)
70 LeMans Sport with pissed off Poncho 462"
1989 Silverado Step Side (under the knife- complete restomod)

I put in a back-up belt. New. I think its a "Gates". Not sure, but it fit. Glad I keep extras on hand.

I do have an SLS pump leak, so that may have taken out the AC belt. In turn, maybe it flew apart and damaged the alt belt.

Just glad the alt belt is a quick and easy install. The AC belt, not so much.

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

LOL I wish! Belts & hoses ain't cheap.

These rubber hoses and belts need periodic replacement in my experience due to age if nothing else. Better to replace than have something let go and take out your engine.

When GM says lifetime item it means 5 or so years LOL. What does Ford say? I'd be more inclined to listen to them

I like to mitigate the possibility of breakdown as much as I can, as I'm always aware I'm depending on a 19 year old car.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

The teeth or ribs on the 300TE were so worn out I could not imagine it still functioned properly, albeit with a bit more noise. Some sections were completely gone (bald spots) and almost every inch had more than 4 cracks. Purchased the car at 223k miles and replaced the belt at 270k miles without knowing when it was last done.

On the 560SEL I think it's a V-Belt instead of a Serpentine belt. I would check the alignment of accessory pulleys, idler arm pulleys and condition of the tensioners.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

not to point out the obvious but have you considered the possibility that your pulleys are not aligned?

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

THe GM recommendations are good, and it's due to new rubber compounds that all the OEM's have these days. Look it up, you will find this to be true for most MFR's these days.

Look inside and feel up the hoses when you flush the radiator. The belts, watch for cracks less than an inch apart. They don't randomly fail without some warning. You will see it coming.

I've never had a hose go bad on me in 25 years of driving using these methods.


PS- what I write isn't applicable to the cheap junk at the Oreilys or AutoZone. Go OEM and you will be fine.

rjp

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03 540I (GAK!!)
81 280E (W123)
70 LeMans Sport with pissed off Poncho 462"
1989 Silverado Step Side (under the knife- complete restomod)

I had them checked when I had my first belt change.

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

That was my first thought as well.

Also, V belts can vary in cross section. The cross section needs to be correct for the belt/pulley interface.

Replacement belts often vary from the original specification in subtle ways not immediately apparent to a casual glance.

If the cross section is not correct, the belt can ride low or high on the sheave causing all sorts of problems. Generic replacement belts can also vary in length from original spec.

Replacement belts are sized to have the greatest number of applications using the lowest number of belts. Often, this means that the belt specc'ed for your car, will not be exactly what the factory installed. It may be slightly longer or shorter, the cross section may be larger/smaller.

Most of the time the difference is negligible, but there are occasions where the need for a factory sized belt is the only option.

I owned a 90 560SEL, and never had a single belt related problem. A good friend owned it prior to me for years, and he never experienced belt failure. He had belts replaced at the dealer, and I only source belts from a MB specific seller when I replace mine.

Thus, I suspect your problem is due to a specific issue with your car, either the alignment of the sheaves, or an inappropriate belt being used.

Addendum:

This is , of course, assuming that you have the correct tension on the belt. You do recheck them a couple of hundred miles after installation, Yes?

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Yes, as mentioned above I do check them after they initial stretch in period. And usually every time I open the hood.

I suspect is the quality of the belts. In fact when I needed two matching ones for my PS pump it was near impossible. I had to make a couple trips back to the store to get two that actually matched in length. A couple they brought to the desk were not even the same width.

I will order some MB branded ones next week.

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

How would you remedy pulleys that are not aligned?

you would have to replace the accessory itself.

i once had to replace the alternator 3 times because I kept on ruining it. I later found out that I was using the wrong belt (too small). The motor had been replaced by the PO (JENTAY) and the belt size was different (by a whole inch!).

The smaller belt would keep bending the alternator shaft causing the misalignment and belt consumption.

live and learn. The car now lives in Michigan with STRELNIK.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo