The A/C compressor pulley has parted from the front of the compressor, and partly shredded the serpentine pulley belt. The pulley belt is intact, but I don't want to risk driving the car, in case the belt fails completely.
A/C does not work anyway, so I am thinking of buying a shorter belt and bypassing the A/C pulley completely. Has anyone done this before, and any idea on what length of belt to buy?
In reading both threads, I feel confident that the shorter serpentine belt (Duralast 910K6, or 6PK2310) specified in the OP of both threads is the same for his C240 and my C320. (I suspected so, but wanted some reassurances). So, I will do some shopping today if the parts stores are open this Memorial Day weekend.
The belt mentioned in post #3 works perfectly to take the A/C compressor out of the loop.
Just a note to clarify, on my 2001 V6, the 17mm bolt that rotates the "Belt Tensioner (#2)" is the bolt on the centerline axle of the pulley itself (not a separate bolt as in the video in the links above). A deep 17mm socket, rotated counter-clockwise, is sufficient to create enough slack so you can get the shorter belt fully in position. Job done.
