Benzor1

I'd love a second opinion on my pulleys - brought this stray home 3 days ago.

As an aside, who has a freakin' 12point 19mm socket to undo the tensioner with. I had to cut the belt.

Could you take a quick watch and see if you think they need done (each link is a short Youtube)
1. - inner one seems to rock?
2. (on driver side above AC compressor) - spins great, but a little noise?
3. has a tiny bit of wiggle in it?
4. - seems great to me, other than some surface rust

These others are definitely getting redone.
- Top idler, driver side, on the inner belt - didn't spin so well-
-

Sam.P

Just about anyone working on their car should have a basic metric wrench kit.. it takes a 17mm for the tensioner.

i wouldn’t worry so much for the wiggling, pay attention to noise. If they turn smoothly and doesn’t make bearing noise it’s fine.

Dokus

Regarding the wiggle it's hard to tell from the video but new pullies wiggle a bit was well. I think they're ok but pullies is a service item. I would buy a pulley kit for a pice of mind.

tlambert

I would replace all pulleys or the bearings. No need to take a chance especially with how bad they look and haven’t been touched for a while. Replace the SC hearing too. Around $50 from eBay. Leave the AC alone if it’s working.

One of the first things I did to my car was to install a scattershield.
Chris (latemodel21) made these and was or still is selling these. I’ve spoke with him before and he is super nice to deal with.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...er-pulley.html

Doesnt seem to be much talk about these lately but some may agree or think it’s just hype. To me it was cheap insurance to keep from destroying other components on the engine if the SC clutch springs came loose. Including possible damage to the hood.

Benzor1

Hi Tim -

Interesting, I'm never seen a scattershield like that! HAve written lastmodel1

Thanks!!

On SC bearings, are they replaceable separate from the pulley? I think this is what you're referring to : ebay NACHI bearing. Assume 1 bearing per pulley (you had it written as plural?)

Benzor1

tlambert

The SC pulley bearing yes. The one you linked to eBay.

Benzor1

Bought the replacement pulleys and the bearing you suggested tonight, thanks for the tip!

SICAMG

She's pretty rusty under that hood. Looks like a daily driver through a lot of winters and I know Boston /Mass loves the salt !

Benzor1

@SICAMG - yes. Used in NH, and parked in salty air near the sea. Underside is remarkably rust free, so most of the work is in the front of engine.

SICAMG

I am in CT by the way and come to Newton/Boston often for family.
Give that engine bay a good power wash , dry off completely and than the next day or so hit everything with WD40. Then blow off everything REALLY well with high air pressure and that will help considerably with how it looks and stopping more corrosion from forming.

Benzor1

@SICAMG - it's definitely on my list of things to do, trying to first sand off as much of the rust, paint the parts I can (like the waterpump pulley drive), and coat the rest in oil.

Cool that you're nearby, we're about 10 mins from Newton.

Frank Barrett

My pulleys were much worse than that and increasingly made noise on cold starts. I'd leave those alone for now.

SICAMG

When they fail on the road....it's a tow home so might as well change them....cheap insurance.