1998 E320 Pulley or Water Pump
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 564
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From: New Jersey
2006 E500 4matic Wagon
1998 E320 Pulley or Water Pump
Well, I think my Starmarked 1998 E320 4matic either blew the water pump or slipped a pulley or something, because my ride home from the gym was terrible. MB would only tow me to the nearest MB dealer (Millennium, in Bridgewater, NJ, imo a terrible dealership), but AAA is going to flatbed me up to my dealer, 65 miles away.
The noise sounds like there is metal-on-metal scraping and a wooshing coming from between the driver's wheel well and the engine bay. I guess it could be anything.
I don't know that much about the maintenance issues longer term of the 1998 model. Anything I should be aware of?
I'll post when I get a diagnosis. I'm just thankful I can be towed from my driveway and that I'm not stranded roadside on my way to NYC in this frigid cold!
The noise sounds like there is metal-on-metal scraping and a wooshing coming from between the driver's wheel well and the engine bay. I guess it could be anything.
I don't know that much about the maintenance issues longer term of the 1998 model. Anything I should be aware of?
I'll post when I get a diagnosis. I'm just thankful I can be towed from my driveway and that I'm not stranded roadside on my way to NYC in this frigid cold!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
The Complaint sounds like the Crank pulley Has Come apart /Failed...The Pullies have Problems and Can make a MESS when they decide to fail..Taking out the Front cover,water pump AND anything else in the way on Departure
I Have seen Several on the Pullies fail..Mercedes Does Know about the Problem...It Should Be Covered Under Starmark Warranty..
I Have seen Several on the Pullies fail..Mercedes Does Know about the Problem...It Should Be Covered Under Starmark Warranty..
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2006 E500 4matic Wagon
Yeah, I'm still waiting for the definitive diagnosis from the dealer. They were closed yesterday b/c of the blizzard. I think I got a great deal since they put me in an ML350 that had 500 miles on it when I picked it up. Thank goodness for low gear, since I have 27" of snow in my driveway. I think the w210 4matic would've been crippled anyway.
I will post when I hear from my service advisor. Even if warranty didn't cover it, since I just bought the car less than 1 month ago, the selling dealer said he'd take care of it...
I wonder though, is the crank pulley something to be concerned about long term?
I will post when I hear from my service advisor. Even if warranty didn't cover it, since I just bought the car less than 1 month ago, the selling dealer said he'd take care of it...
I wonder though, is the crank pulley something to be concerned about long term?
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
e320 Wgn. 98, 08 R320 CDI, 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
Prophylactic replacement (ha)
So what's the cost of doing the replacement BEFORE the pulley takes out part of the engine? This problem seems so common that I'm thinking about having it done now (no extended warranty.)
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento, CA
W204 C300 2010
My pulley just fell apart. I have a '99 with 39K miles. I got lucky, when I started the car up, the rubber coming out of the pulley was slapping the serpentine belt.
To make a long story short. No charge from the only dealer in Sacramento, CA. They replaced the pulley, belt tensioner, and some hardware (bolts and fastners).
If you only change the pulley, the cost from various online parts dealers ranges from $55 - $65 before shipping. I would at least change the belt when the pulley is off. The tensioner and hold down hardware is good insurance or, at least, peace of mind.
It does not look hard, everything is open, very open between the pulley and radiator fan.
Just be lucky you do not have a 1st generation BMW 540 ('94, '95, there is no '96) like I had, the MBZ pulley problem is kid's play compared to all the issues I had.
Rob Lee
To make a long story short. No charge from the only dealer in Sacramento, CA. They replaced the pulley, belt tensioner, and some hardware (bolts and fastners).
If you only change the pulley, the cost from various online parts dealers ranges from $55 - $65 before shipping. I would at least change the belt when the pulley is off. The tensioner and hold down hardware is good insurance or, at least, peace of mind.
It does not look hard, everything is open, very open between the pulley and radiator fan.
Just be lucky you do not have a 1st generation BMW 540 ('94, '95, there is no '96) like I had, the MBZ pulley problem is kid's play compared to all the issues I had.
Rob Lee
