TheVazha

So a I had a noise coming from my pulleys. I was on my way to the dealer and then...
Whole instrument cluster turned red with multiple alarms and warnings. "Temp Too High, Car Overheating, Turn Off Engine, etc.." Also lost power steering, brakes, and my seat heater turned off (it was a cold day)! All this happened on the 405 in the rain. I was able to pull off the road and called AAA. Popped open the hood and saw missing pulleys, and a tangled loose belt where a nice taut one used to be. Got towed to the dealer and got hit with: New Belt, new belt tensioner, new water pump, left cover gasket, and both front thrust arms and bushings. Warranty approved everything. Just saved over $4G's.

If you are looking at this and dont have a warranty, stop spending your money on crap and buy a warranty! I do NOT race my car. I drive fast but not nearly as aggressive as some of the other members I've met. The warranty is a MUST.

lilg210

Wow!! That makes me want to go change out my belts and pulleys so that this doesnt happen!! I have 92K on my car

RAC3ME

What warranty do you have? Makes me glad I spent the $ and got a Fidelity warranty...

P.S- Nice timepiece.

c43amgedmonton1

did you take it in after your last thread about the noise. or keep driving it?

TheVazha

Mercury = Fidelity, that's what I got! Yes its gorgeous, Chronomat Evolution with the rose gold trim. It was a gift from my gf on my birthday!

I tried to take her in but broke down on the fw. I'd say you have about 3-4 miles from the time the noise starts to disaster!


Here are pics of my old belt tensioner and pics of the new one. I tripped out when I saw!!

Forrest Gump 9

Did the bearing seized up and broke off?

HeissRod

I'm so glad mine just got replaced.

BlownV8

Happened to me too on my CL and left me stranded. That damn piece of crap tensioner will fail on every Mercedes!!!!!!!

turbo97se

$4G? Wow that warranty paid for itself fast! Wonder how much tensioner costs? Maybe I should replace mine under preventative maintenance.

TheVazha

I would. I dont think the tensioner is expensive at all if done as "preventative" maintenance. Its when it shears off, hits other pulleys, rips belts etc is when it gets expensive. The cost of parts + labor is what gets to be $$$. My AMG tech at the dealer says its not uncommon for them to come off.

I will tell you guys this as a word of advice:

My car was running beastly since I got it. Most of the time (99%) I'd drive in D/S mode. Right before I heard the noise, I spent the day driving in M. I forgot how much fun it was to mash gears even on a true automatic. Anyways, maybe its the high revs and agressive downshifting that finally did her in. I will pick up the ride on Monday and get an itemized bill...

turbo97se

I was wondering if this is the upper or lower belt tensioner. I'm away on business and can't peek into my engine bay to match your pic. When I look in the electronic parts catalog, can't seem to find the part (I am not used to looking through the EPC yet though). When I look on line, there is an upper and lower tensioner. If you only replaced one,will the other one go? Both are listed as about $180. Did someone mention an aftermarket one? Hmmm thinking of making a CNC one out of billet ... that shouldn't break!

mikey33

Cannot believe that destruction!!! Glad to hear your car is alright and your warranty covered you. That belt tensioner looks destroyed, crazy stuff.

BenzoBoi

That's nuts! Glad to hear you weren't hurt buddy!

220S

I wonder if the belt tensioner pulley is some sort of known issue by MB. It's weird 'cause I looked at my VMI and mine was replaced by the dealer when new with 7 miles on it.

They said it had just come from the VPC and that they were told to replace it, but didn't give me any details other than that. Mine's a 2009 E63 that I bought new. You'd think it's a different pulley than on the E55 motor; so probably it's just a coincidence.

lilg210

I am wondering if someone makes an aftermarket one out of a different material?

dansamg

hey man

know it's been a while since this happened, but I seem to remember you posting a video on YouTube of the noise.
I cant find it, so I dont know if it has been removed or what.
I have some noice coming from the belts and this has me all nervous. I looked at the tensioner and it's not showing any signs of damage or wear.
My belts are probably well overdue for a change, but I wanted to listen to that clip you posted.
anyway let me know

Thanks

emoving

How many miles on the car Vaz?

blackbenzz

Damn that sucks. Did you say the car overheated? That's not good. Hopefully it didn't cause further damage

spazmoid

I just looked at my Vehicle master inquiry, the dealer records for service, and it says "guide pulley noise" "replaced under warranty" Does anyone know from experience if this sounds like it could've been the beginning of your problem?

Jakpro1

What kinda watch is that? I like the look!

Glad to hear car is okay too.

MB_Forever

Glad to hear you didn't get hurt.... that belt looks like it was torn up pretty good

lightningfast7

TheVazha

Yes I took the vid down. It sounds like sheet metal being engraved with a needle. Very distinct sound.

Just hit 60K last week!

It overheated in a matter of seconds. I pulled over right away to shut the engine off but the computer beat me to it!

Thanks! Its a Breitling Chronomat Evolution...







Thanks for the kind words. I was fortunate to be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on the 405...

Yeah what a mess that thing makes! Car is legit and Mercury covered everything...

Thanks for the kind words Benzo, now tell Serge we go way back and he should do me a solid on a stage 1!