STR3ZZ

I have 2008 w211 e63 amg and while driving in highway the battery logo pop up on dash board and steering wheel become impossible to turn. I checked and the belt in front engine I think is belong to alternator and a/c... Snapped. Then a coolant start leaking a lot under the car. Turned the car off check temp gauge it was still in 80 degree line so is not over heating. I did check the hoses and I don't see anything snap or crack or cut from the broken belt. Towed and Dropped it to iautohaus in Tempe az. Is this just gonna be a simple belt replacement or will pulley and some radiator hose maybe need to replace also? I notice squealing noise when start the car cold but disappear after 5 minutes driving. I just want to know what I'm dealing here since this is my first Mercedes car. Thanks

Toadster

coolant leak is odd, maybe water pump failed and the belt seized/snapped?

STR3ZZ

That's what josh from Autohaus mention that because belt not working it start releasing some pressure from water pump ... I still don't understand I though it was a coolant smell like it too or maybe I'm wrong because I'm freaking out on the side of damn freeway

stockC43

I would guess from my experience that a idler pully failed. The coolant may of been a hose damaged from the belt coming off. If you didn't run it long after the belt came off the damage to the car and your wallet shouldn't be too bad, given what you drive. I know speedriven was looking into making billet idler pulleys for 63's. may be worth a call.

STR3ZZ

I couldn't run it long because I can't control the steering wheel it's like driving a car without power steering. I stopped less than 1/4 miles and turn off engine right a way. Is this common for idle pulley to go bad?

Jon2007E63P30

It was driving a car without power steering. Let us know the outcome. Hope the belt was the only failure /damage. A loose belt like that could damage the radiator.

Critter

My E63 did the same thing, battery logo, no power steering. What happened was the plastic idler pulley, actually two pulleys, the bearings overheated and melted the pulley off, which cause the belt to shred. In your case probably the belt was allowed to either wear into a rad hose or the belt was flipping around the front of the engine and clipped a hose or rad connection. Weistec has made billet aluminum pulley sets for our 63's, both my cars are now equipped. Screw the plastic MB crap.
Replace all pulleys now, the Weistec kit comes with all 5, some cars only need four so you have a spare, bearings are replaceable.
Glad you were not in a sweeping corner when the PS failed, the outcome would have been different.
Guys you must remember that the serpentine belt on a 63 turns everything, water pump, AC, alternator, Power steering, if this belt goes south then then as well as no alt, Ps the water pump is not turning which on a 63 will be only minutes and few at that before the engine overheats from no circulation, not a good idea.

eljefe7070

I thought my issue was a bummer. Hope you get it sorted out.

Critter

It comes down to a simple maintenance item, plastic pulleys may be a cheap alternate as well as a weight savings for MB. A worn out pulley will spin for a long time whereas a new pulley will only spin for a very short time, 50-60K miles is a good time to get rid of the plastic.

STR3ZZ

So iautohaus just got back to me and this is what he sent me

"Hey Michael, We found the thermostat housing nipple has broken off we need to start there so replacement of the housing with drive belt before tax is $485.45 Once this is fixed we can look into the suspension issue once running. Thx
Joshua @ iAutohaus *txt line*"

What the heck? Is that even possible? What is thermostat housing nipple? Is that price make sense or too steep?

stockC43

I'm betting the black plastic part broke off of the thermostat when the belt came off. Are they replacing any pulleys? Belts don't just fall off. Price seems about right though. A couple hours of labor and a few parts adds up.
Best pic I could find.

STR3ZZ

The belt was actually split in the middle but not cut off into 2. And I will find out more as he is about 60 miles away and when he called and texted me I was at work. If the price is seem right then I'm ok because they are suppose to be cheaper than MB dealers but what I'm worry is that he mention it's all they can diagnose right now but it will do more after above part is fix and the car is running to see if there is more damage or it's all there is.

STR3ZZ

And now he mention he heard loud noises from the back of the car while it was being test drive and it could be front rear diff?? What is he talking about?