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2011 E350, no oil leaks and maintenance up to date with about 110k miles or 190,000km. I had belt and pulleys replaced a couple of years ago, most recently I had the motor mounts done.
last week i noticed a squealing sound coming form the front of the engine and upon inspection i notice the harmonic balancer not turning square, with the rubber deteriorated between the outer ring and inner section. it seems that the two parts are slowly coming apart. this should the still the original mercedes part. Anyone had experience similar failure? what should I tackle while in there?
2011 E350, no oil leaks and maintenance up to date with about 110k miles or 190,000km. I had belt and pulleys replaced a couple of years ago, most recently I had the motor mounts done.
last week i noticed a squealing sound coming form the front of the engine and upon inspection i notice the harmonic balancer not turning square, with the rubber deteriorated between the outer ring and inner section. it seems that the two parts are slowly coming apart. this should the still the original mercedes part. Anyone had experience similar failure? what should I tackle while in there?
new harmonic balancer now compromised.
add inspection of the water pump pulley.
Replace the belt tensioner + a new Continental belt that matches what the vehicle needs.
Beware many parts suppliers list the wrong belt length even searched by VIN#.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Sep 12, 2025 at 08:13 PM.
Pretty simple job as far as having to take things apart. Basically just removing the belt.
Can always replace the tensioner, pulleys and belt while youre in there. I have the M272 and replaced my tensioner with a Gates brand which the original MB tensioner was stamped Gates on it.
Pretty simple job as far as having to take things apart. Basically just removing the belt.
Can always replace the tensioner, pulleys and belt while youre in there. I have the M272 and replaced my tensioner with a Gates brand which the original MB tensioner was stamped Gates on it.
thanks for the instructions. i don't have the special tool to hold the main crankshaft pulley to undo the bolt. what people use instead?
thanks
If your pulley looks like the one below they sell the tool pretty cheap. I just picked the first one i came across as an example, im not recommending that specific one.
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.
