bebe

Hi, I have a 2002 C32 AMG with ~45K miles on it. A couple of weeks ago, it started to make this noise (it sounds like a cricket) when I start it up. Just took it to the Benz dealer here in ATL and they said there's a problem with the tension pulley. They won't be able to work on it/give estimate until next week. Did anybody have similar problem in the past? If so, how did you fix it? Is this going to cost a lot to fix? fyi, it still drives like a dream, so I think whatever the problem is doesn't affect the engine.
Any help will be appreciated. TIA!!!

sales@eurocharged.com

Shouldn't be too much.

Where in ATL are you? I used to live in Alpharetta.

bebe

Thanks for your reply.
I live in Conyers, East of ATL, but looking to move closer towards the Dunwoody area.

Did you have the same problem with the tension pulley? Somebody told me it's going to be substantial, I guess I'm just preparing myself for the worst. I used to drive a 1998 BMW M3 and I start to think that the M3 probably requires less maintenance..... oops.... maybe this is the wrong forum for this kinda talk.

sales@eurocharged.com

I came from an E46 M3 and it was just as costly....

I called MB here and my guy will call me back shortly with a quote on the parts / labor to fix this (worst case scenerio).

I worked in Dunwoody about 3 miles from P-Diddy's house, right off of exit 5 if your on GA400. Niceeeee area.

bebe

AMG-Jerry, thanks for your help. Looking forward to see if this is gonna cost me my new Prada bag this christmas or what....

hey, exit 5 is also my exit for work. what a coincidence....

sales@eurocharged.com

LOL...small world. I'm willing to bet that the Prada bag might need to wait until your b-day...

From a woman's point of view, how do you like the car? Notice any jerking between 1st and 2nd gear? Why did you choose the C32?

Nice to see a female with good taste.

itsmeek

i'm having the same issue here. i just made a post about something like it or close to it at least. i'm guessing it's the pulley and belt that need replacement. oh well..time to upgrade that pulley

sales@eurocharged.com

OK, spoke with the stealership....

He quoted me $425 for parts and labor. He said just add sales tax to the total. Look like the Prada bag is looking pretty good for you!

bebe

AMG-Jerry, thanks so much for your help. I guess $450 isn't too bad.
I'll post Buckhead stealership's quote next week.

I love my C32. I was looking for something compact and sporty like the M3, with lotsa power and the C32 is definitely all that and more. plus, you don't see very many AMG's here in ATL. my second option was a jag (s-type) which, i still think, is so pretty. didn't test drive the jag though.

yes, I do notice the jerk you're talking about. I was reading some posts on the subject a couple of weeks ago on this forum, but then I got distracted.

you have a nice Thanksgiving up there in Chicago . I'll talk to you next week!

Lenin

I had this same problem. My dealer replaced it at no cost even though the car was already out of warranty. See if you can raise some stink and have them take care of it for you.

KompressorKev

if you have a problem with your tensioner, i would personally say don't drive it too much. what happened to me was my belt tensioner gave out, the bearing inside got fried or something so the pulleys slipped off and got shredded. all auxiliary functions by serpentine belt went out...had to get towed and replaced. the tensioner is important for keeping your pulleys on, i would caution you to not drive so much just in my experience because i don't want you to have to go through a headache. get it fixed asap, in my opinion

bebe

Hi, they quoted me $900 to replace the belt tensioner and another item (harmonic... something rather). they said that I don't get it fixed ASAP, it will destroy the oil pan!
does this sound right to you guys??
TIA!

neihouma

Harmonic balancer? That can destroy the crankshaft, not the oil pan...

boohooramblers

That's rubbish! Who was your SA at MB Buckhead (I've gone through the lot of them there!). BTW - is your C32 white?

Matt@Revolution

Curious why MB Buckhead wants to replace the crankshaft pulley? As precaution, or is it actually starting to come apart? If the noise is coming from the belt tensioner, cost to replace here is only $400 even with the belt. If the crankshaft pulley needs replacement it would add another $400, but I'm skeptical.

itsmeek

i just replaced all of them including the belt and front brake pads for a net cost of $437 including parts. the labor took me about 1 hour. i replaced the belt tensioner, balancer, and 1 other pulley.

Matt@Revolution

$437?? Thats fully $100 under wholesale pricing for the parts. Where'd you get them? or are we no longer talking about a compressor car?

bebe

OK guys, I talked w/ the MB Buckhead rep (Anthony) and voiced my concerns. He finally agreed to replace the belt tensioner pulleys and the harmonic balancer for $480. That's a lot better than $900 Thank you all for your help.


PS: mine is silver Boohooramblers, who works on yours at MB Buckhead?

sales@eurocharged.com

It's amazing what a little talking will do. Glad you got the price down.

itsmeek

yes, it's a c32 amg. i dunno- this is how much it cost me thru my mechanic. he gave me the parts and i installed em.

boohooramblers

Yep - Anthony also! He's the only one there who'll put up with me!

m3_eater

Kinda makes you just want to step up to Stage I, doesn't it?

boohooramblers

No doubt! - as soon as they put in my new heated seat pads and replace the sound dampener above the transmission tunnel, I'll be going that route!

itsmeek

<edit>didn't see i already posted this Hehe.

FrankW

could be just the belt.

mine had this problem long time ago. it went away on it's own for some reason.

my start up sounds like this now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAcmJRZrpBo LOL