C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Guide Pulley explodes - Black Swan moment - advice on fix

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Old 04-10-2012, 10:28 AM
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2002 c32
Guide Pulley explodes - Black Swan moment - advice on fix

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A month or so ago, I started to get a bit of a funky grinding noise - just figured it was the s/c pulley again, which I've replaced a couple times. "I'll get to it." I didn't think it was extraordinarily loud or concerning and it seemed to go away after a bit. Came back every start-up though.

Well last week, warning lights came on and power steering went out, car has 90k so I figured it was the belt. It was. Got a new belt, but when I got in to replace it (and got a new ngk bearing to press in) the #6 guide pulley pretty much fell away.



I felt like I got off lucky, it didn't seem to take anything with it except I guess it did - the timing case where the #6 guide pulley is mounted.



So just looking for some ideas and options, short of replacing the timing case. It's just guide pulley, so I feel like I should be OK to do something creative there.

Going to replace #4 as well.

I'm hoping this will be an excuse to get eurocharged upgrades, but not if I really have to replace that whole assembly?

Peace and thanks!
Old 04-10-2012, 12:15 PM
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Wow. Bif, I haven't heard from you in a long time. I'm glad to hear you still own the old C32.

You were one of the first "experts"/tracksters I started following when I joined up here.

Keep us posted on the repairs.

Last edited by ScottW911; 04-10-2012 at 02:33 PM.
Old 04-10-2012, 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by ScottW911
Wow. Bif, I haven't heard from you in a long time. I glad to hear you still own the old C32.

Keep us posted on the repairs.
Yeah - pretty much my favorite car still - if I could I would have a W203 C63 - not that much of a fan of the new one (other than it's specs of course )

Will do - hopefully you'll see my progress on this repair here.

Peace!

Last edited by Bif powell; 04-10-2012 at 12:35 PM.
Old 04-10-2012, 01:01 PM
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2002 C32 AMG, 2013 GLK 350/4, 2015 E63S AMG Wagon
Can a NeedsWings Pulley Saver Kit (or a variation on it) help you in your situation?
Old 04-10-2012, 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Lenin
Can a NeedsWings Pulley Saver Kit (or a variation on it) help you in your situation?
I believe it will help. The PSK removes the #6 pulley...or rather relocates it to a different location (mounting hole already present). It also wraps the belt a little bit further than the OEM idler pulley.
Old 05-20-2012, 05:19 PM
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The same thing just happened to mine, except it was the #4 pulley. It seized, threw the belt, and tore up the timing case. Your pic looks just like my situation. I bought a new pulley, but I'm afraid to attach it with the connection point all torn up. What did you end up doing?

My car is a 2003 C32 with 95K miles.
Old 05-20-2012, 08:08 PM
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^ Sucks to have suffered those incongruous pulley bearing failures. They should rightly be considered yet another maintenance item.

A Heli-Coil insert might give your replacement pulley enough purchase to secure correctly without having to replace its mount.

Credit boohoorablers for convincing several here to replace ‘em before they unglued themselves and made a nasty mess.


https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...er-pulley.html

http://www.emhart.com/brands/heli-coil

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Old 08-27-2012, 12:58 AM
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My #4 pulley shaft did the same thing. I have enough left to get the new pulley on but there must have been a spacer in there before because the belt now rides 4/5 on the pulley and 1/5 off to the front. How did you resolve this issue?
Old 08-27-2012, 02:39 PM
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Figured out the problem. The water pump part number 6341-07126063 from partsgeek.com (not trying to promote anything, just the cheapest I could find on short notice.) has the piece that the pulley #4 mounts to on the end of it and had to be replaced or machined to accomodate the pulley correctly again. Machining the part would not be cost effective. The failing pulley wore down the nub to the point that it was no longer flush and would not align using spacers or heli coil or anything else. The part is only $101 as of today and I just ordered it and a new gates belt to correct the problem. If anyone else has pulley #4 fail, check your connecting piece before placing the new pulley on and this should be the best fix.

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