02' C320 Revival
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Joined: Aug 2021
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From: Northern VA - US
02' C320 Sedan
02' C320 Revival
So I reclaimed my old car that's been sitting close to a year now. 200k plus on the clock. It has good tires, but a busted serpentine belt, so new belt kit is on the way. Also need to get a new key and then I can check the battery, or at least try to jump it once I get the belt done.
Main question is what to do next? I'm hoping the brakes/calipers are ok and are functional at least for a while once she turns over and runs. Oil change, and just drive it and see; thoughts?
Main question is what to do next? I'm hoping the brakes/calipers are ok and are functional at least for a while once she turns over and runs. Oil change, and just drive it and see; thoughts?
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Oil is probably still good. No need to change. Not like it suddenly goes bad. I'd base that more on mileage. Hopefully the battery was on a trickle charger the entire time, or you may be looking at a new one too.
Just give it a drive. Things should be fine.
Just give it a drive. Things should be fine.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 41
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From: Northern VA - US
02' C320 Sedan
It's an odd story but I know the battery is dead since the doors are unlocked and I can't adjust the seats or anything. It has been siting so battery is a gonner, but still in warranty under Costco technically since I still have that paperwork from the previous owner prior to myself. Belt kit is coming today, and key is ordered, so roadside will come deliver/program that once it's in, then I can have it towed and the belt done, with new battery in it, and start racking up miles again!
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Joined: Aug 2021
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From: Northern VA - US
02' C320 Sedan
I'm searching for the torque specs for doing the belt tensioner and idler pulley myself. I'm pretty sure I could manage it with some support from YouTube university....
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From: Northern VA - US
02' C320 Sedan
So to add, I discovered how the belt disintegrated; The AC compressor's pulley seized or something, froze up, belt self-destructs. The outer pulley shroud just spins but the pulley itself is locked up snug. I will go ahead and assume I need a new compressor; but which brands are acceptable? I think Denso was OE, another comes pre-filled with fluid via Rock Auto. I'm trying to get the car running as a beater/backup to my Tundra, not restore it. This entire job will now be a new belt, tensioner, idler pulley, and AC compressor.
From looking top-down, it's definitely most accessible from the bottom side. How difficult is the job, bolt access and a plug or two? I'm not familiar and don't want to bite off more than I can chew. All the other pulley spin/can be moved freely by hand, except the AC compressor.
From looking top-down, it's definitely most accessible from the bottom side. How difficult is the job, bolt access and a plug or two? I'm not familiar and don't want to bite off more than I can chew. All the other pulley spin/can be moved freely by hand, except the AC compressor.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Denso is the OEM. I'd go that route. Wouldn't want to do the job twice.
I imagine a licensed mechanic has to drain the system first to capture the refrigerant. Not sure if it can be DIYed for this reason.
I imagine a licensed mechanic has to drain the system first to capture the refrigerant. Not sure if it can be DIYed for this reason.
Last edited by slammer111; Sep 16, 2023 at 12:38 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 41
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From: Northern VA - US
02' C320 Sedan
Decided to bypass the AC for the time being and deal with it in spring/summer next year. Can ring out the cobwebs and get her broken in all over again first that way and save some coin until I know the rest is good to go mechanically
