Newbie_2_MB

I received an e-mail today from my MB dealership that read:

Daimler AG has determined that a V-Belt upper guide pulley optimized for noise reduction is available. Mercedes-Benz of Valencia will replace the V-Belt upper guide pulley at your next dealership visit. The V-Belt Upper Guide is approximately half an hour, depending on the model of your vehicle. The V-Belt is covered 100% by your warranty.

I have a call into my SA to see if my GL is part of this recall.

I hate to sound like a woman, but what is the V-belt? Is that like a serpentine belt that is used in some domestic brands like Ford?

StevethePilot

It's the part that goes behind the fragis, right above the triple flutterblast floorboard warpers.

Or something.

STP

PS Meaning I don't know either, just being silly - it's Friday.

Nevada Jack

I think you are correct Jen. It is that large "serpentine" belt and this is apparently a upper guide that keeps it on track.

Stumblefoot

You didn't just say that!

How do you think it makes all of us males feel who know virtually nothing about the mechanics of automobiles?

Ughhhhhh... the pressure, the pressure of being male.

Newbie_2_MB

Well, I heard back & my GL is part of the recall campaign. I'm hoping to get it in on Wednesday. The SA said it should take less than 2 hours to replace.

BeanCounter

Jen,

Do you have a bulletin/recall number on this? I want to call my dealership with it in hand because this might have a lot to do with my noisy air conditioning issue.

Thanks,

Jeff

Newbie_2_MB

Hi Jeff-

No, the e-mail didn't reference a TSB or recall #. It looks like I'll be taking it in Wednesday morning & waiting for the repair to be done.

ksdprasad

thanks for the info and heads up. i was called my SA and he verified my car vin in the system and said my GL is not in that recall.

oknish

This is an interesting one. I haven't received any recall notice either yet.

ksdprasad

me too not received any notice from MBUSA, but called and confirmed with my SA. By VIN number they will check and let you know if your truck is in the list for that recall.

whoover

Any "fan belt" is a V-belt. Cut one and the cross section is V-shaped to match the tapered shape of the pulleys. Old cars had multiple V-belts and modern ones have a single serpentine V-belt.

Danno4x4

That is close...

A V-Belt has a V-Shaped cross section... Most newer cars (including the GL) use what is called a Multi Rib Belt (aka Serpentine belt)

So my suspicion is that there is a recall on one of the idler pulleys (idler pulleys don't power anything... they just spin freely and help to guide the belt). Bearings in idler and tensioner pulleys tend to give more frequently than you would think... My guess is that they used cheap-o bearings in the initial version of the pulley, lots of customers had bearings go bad while they were under warranty, so they redesigned the bearings to not go bad until AFTER the warranty expires

lkchris

Yes, the term V-belt is not used to describe the new serpentine belts in any technical or sales documentation. I'd be surprised, too, to see it used in official communication from MBUSA. From a dealer, maybe.

Wonder if the belt installation is different for GLs (and MLs) as this problem would surely run across all recent Mercedes with V8 (and likely) V6 gasoline engines otherwise. Seems doubtful to me it would be.

It's also somewhat suspicious that communication would come first from dealer rather than MBUSA. Dealers can of course "go fishing" based on TSBs or DTBs but don't think it's normal practice. The economy isn't "normal," of course.

dmfick

I called my dealer today and they claim to know nothing about a belt recall for any GL model

oknish

This is better than an Agatha Christie novel.

Let us know what you find, Jen. I would bet that MB runs out of these pulleys next week when a multitude of GL owners demand their pulleys be replaced

paulybagadonuts

I received a call from my SA last week about a recall on the ML for a Guide Pulley V Belt but haven't gotten a letter from MB yet. Posted an inquery on the M-Class (W164) board and found out a little I think might be helpful here.

Dutch was good enough to share a link that lists recalls for the ML, GL, etc.

Sounds like the same thing you guys are talking about:

Aug 15, 2008
2008070002
Service campaign, Revision: Update to warranty information
Models 164, 164.8, 171, 203, 209, 211, 216, 219, 221, 230, and 251 with Engine 272 or 273
Model Years 2006-2007
Replace V-Belt Upper Guide Pulley

Here's the link: http://www.whnet.com/4x4/tsb_164.html

Newbie_2_MB

I talked with my SA & let him know that I was on an MB GL forum & nobody else had received any recall info. He said it was for very early builds of the 2007 GL and only for a specific range within the VIN; mine was built in January 2007.

A 30-minute process my foot...I was there for 2 hours, but it got done & the GL got a bath, so all is good.