Pulley noise, whinning, which pulley is it ?

Subscribe
Nov 12, 2008 | 05:45 AM
  #1  
Pulley noise, whinning, which pulley is it ?

Pitch changes relevant to rpm''s in park or stopped in neutral.
I think it''s a pulley. Does anyone have info re. which pulley to
check, or what else could be the source of the problem ?

Thanks
Reply 0
Nov 12, 2008 | 07:15 PM
  #2  
Marcus used to talk about flex disc's making noise.... is it coming from engine bay or underbody ?
Reply 0
Nov 12, 2008 | 08:50 PM
  #3  
Didn't have my steth with me, but earlier today I popped the hood, and it sure sounded like whine was coming from the engine compartment. Tomorrow will be winterizing the boat, but if I get time, I will check out the noise with the steth and will post a follow up.

Thanks for the info, but have a "duh" question--what/where is the flex disk, and is this a big job. I do most of the work on my car--avoid the shop like the plague.
Reply 0
Nov 13, 2008 | 01:05 AM
  #4  
Sounds like the belt tensioner. Those howl when they're going out. Of course, it could be low on PS fluid.
Reply 0
Nov 17, 2008 | 11:09 PM
  #5  
Went and got my steth from the boat. Was using it there to ID a lifter prob.

Used in on car, and the whine is clearly coming from the idler pulley (MB says guide pulley.), not tensioner pulley, steeting pump, alternator, or fan.

Picked up part #0002020019, $31.20.
Will put it in tomorrow and post follow up.
Right now, am eating ice cream and watching war movies.

Thanks again for all of the help.
Reply 0
Dec 31, 2008 | 08:00 AM
  #6  
Sorry for delay in follow up.
Replaced pulley.
Problem solved.

Note: Using the "loosen clips & remove inner grill & and push radiator and condenser forward to make room to remove pulley bolt" technique, I ran into problem--not enough room to remove bolt unless the plastic pulley is broken away. My pulley did not fail and fall to pieces like others on this forum have. That was not my problem. My problem was that the pulley was intact, but was making too much noise, and had to be replaced. To have enough room to remove the pulley, using the above mentioned technique, I had to use a pair of big channel locks, and crunch up my noisy pulley into pieces, and then I was able to remove the bolt. After that ordeal, the rest of the job was easy.

A warning: Be careful after you remove the radiator retention clips, because it is easy to break the fragile plastic tabs that the clips mount on to. They stick out, and you can snap them off if you bump them or lean on them while you are working on the pulley. For such an expensive car, it has a lot of crappy overly fragile plastic parts.
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE