W202 Pulley ID - MBClub UK

Comcastle · 26-06-2012, 04:49 PM

As time's gone on, I've realised that the rattling from my engine is not down to the tappets, but from the pulley shown below that is clearly a bit worse for wear:

I can see it vibrating as the engines running. (You can see the bolt on the tip of it is a bit fuzzy in the picture as its vibrating) I can't get any movement out of it when its off though.

What pulley is that? Is it just an idler? Will have to get that sorted ASAP as I doubt it's a good thing!

Thanks.

DRBC43AMG · 26-06-2012, 05:25 PM

Indeed, looks like an idler to me...

walsi · 26-06-2012, 05:29 PM

And me but what do i know

Comcastle · 26-06-2012, 07:21 PM

Thanks guys, will put this to the not very long list of things to do!

**BlackC55** · 26-06-2012, 08:10 PM

It is the belt tensioner. Change the shock absorber too. They often cause a rattle in that area.

Comcastle · 26-06-2012, 08:56 PM

Roger that, seen a YouTube video of a guy changing both, looks straightforward enough. (Until I try it myself no doubt!)

DRBC43AMG · 26-06-2012, 10:02 PM

Good luck

grober · 26-06-2012, 10:09 PM

Put the correct size of Torx female socket on that centre bolt and turn anti clockwise as you look towards the rear of the car- that releases the tension on the poly V belt and you can slip it off. You can then remove the tensioner and damper [ shock absorber] ----careful the tensioner securing bolts are different lengths note which is which for replacement.

bedwards1966 · 27-06-2012, 03:57 PM

That's defiantly the tensioner.
I'm fairly certain (though it's hard to say without seeing it) that if it's vibrating it's either the bearing on the pulley and/or the damper attached that's failed. I'd remove the belt (as described above), and feel for any play in the pulley bearing. If there isn't any play to be felt then I'd be inclined to just replace the damper, if there is play then obviously the pulley bearing needs replacing, and quite possibly the damper too. You could take the damper off and see what it's like, when they've fully failed it's quite obvious, but I think it will probably be best to just replace it, even if it doesn't feel knackered.

Bernard · 28-06-2012, 06:33 PM

To check if it's the tensioner making a noise just insert a large screw driver or bar between the top of the tensioner and the side of the engine and slowly pull down, sort of like pressing down on the tensioner. That will tell you if it's the tensioner. Easy to replace. If it's the bearing in the pulley, just remove the pulley. I managed to do it without removing the radiator shroud. The bearing size number is 3202 / 5202, take your pick. I got 3202. Hold a matching socket on the bearing and place it in a vice and slowly wind / press it out. Reverse for refitting. I just annointed the inside of the pulley with a bit of waterproof grease to help the bearing slide.

walsi · 28-06-2012, 09:22 PM

What a cool word, anointed, think i will use that next time i chuck a bucket of water over next doors dog when it craps on my lawn

Comcastle · 14-07-2012, 06:44 PM

Thanks for the info guys, I had a play with it the other day to practice taking it apart, and it appears that the bush at the top of the damper is what is causing the noise.

Nothing looked untoward when I inspected and cleaned it, but when its in place you can clearly see that its vibrating at that point. I used a breaker bar to push on the top of the damper and the noise and vibration stopped, so it looks a clear case of the damper having expired.

Will get round to changing it soon enough, fairly cheap part too thankfully!

Comcastle · 16-12-2012, 05:04 PM

Hmm, just seen this and thought I'd put a conclusion on it!

The noise was indeed caused by the damper; the top bush was cracked and split so the metal ring at the top was vibrating against its mount.

£30 for a new damper, ten minute job to fit it and problem solved. Nice and simple!

26-06-2012, 04:49 PM	#1
Comcastle New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kent Car: W202 C180 Sport Posts: 23	W202 Pulley ID As time's gone on, I've realised that the rattling from my engine is not down to the tappets, but from the pulley shown below that is clearly a bit worse for wear: I can see it vibrating as the engines running. (You can see the bolt on the tip of it is a bit fuzzy in the picture as its vibrating) I can't get any movement out of it when its off though. What pulley is that? Is it just an idler? Will have to get that sorted ASAP as I doubt it's a good thing! Thanks.

26-06-2012, 08:10 PM	#5
BlackC55 Authorised Forum Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Horndean, Portsmouth, Hampshire, Southsea Car: C43 AMG with mods, CLK55, C250TD, MK1 Caddy Posts: 14,185	It is the belt tensioner. Change the shock absorber too. They often cause a rattle in that area. __________________ Olly Prestige car Service: I am listed here on MBClub please click to see services and discounts available.

26-06-2012, 05:25 PM	#2
DRBC43AMG Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Switzerland, Locarno (TI), the canton of merlot grapes, wine, grappa and fine food Car: 98' C240T, 99' C43 AMG "T Rex" Posts: 952	Indeed, looks like an idler to me...

26-06-2012, 05:29 PM	#3
walsi Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: north cornwall Car: mercedes vito 120 CDI chipped and lowered Posts: 257	And me but what do i know

26-06-2012, 07:21 PM	#4
Comcastle New Member Threadstarter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kent Car: W202 C180 Sport Posts: 23	Thanks guys, will put this to the not very long list of things to do!

26-06-2012, 08:56 PM	#6
Comcastle New Member Threadstarter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kent Car: W202 C180 Sport Posts: 23	Roger that, seen a YouTube video of a guy changing both, looks straightforward enough. (Until I try it myself no doubt!)

26-06-2012, 10:02 PM	#7
DRBC43AMG Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Switzerland, Locarno (TI), the canton of merlot grapes, wine, grappa and fine food Car: 98' C240T, 99' C43 AMG "T Rex" Posts: 952	Good luck

26-06-2012, 10:09 PM	#8
grober Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Perth, Scotland Car: W204 C200CDI Estate Posts: 14,454	Put the correct size of Torx female socket on that centre bolt and turn anti clockwise as you look towards the rear of the car- that releases the tension on the poly V belt and you can slip it off. You can then remove the tensioner and damper [ shock absorber] ----careful the tensioner securing bolts are different lengths note which is which for replacement.

27-06-2012, 03:57 PM	#9
bedwards1966 Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scarborough, North Yorshire Car: 1999 C230K estate (sport) Posts: 97	That's defiantly the tensioner. I'm fairly certain (though it's hard to say without seeing it) that if it's vibrating it's either the bearing on the pulley and/or the damper attached that's failed. I'd remove the belt (as described above), and feel for any play in the pulley bearing. If there isn't any play to be felt then I'd be inclined to just replace the damper, if there is play then obviously the pulley bearing needs replacing, and quite possibly the damper too. You could take the damper off and see what it's like, when they've fully failed it's quite obvious, but I think it will probably be best to just replace it, even if it doesn't feel knackered.

28-06-2012, 06:33 PM	#10
Bernard New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1	To check if it's the tensioner making a noise just insert a large screw driver or bar between the top of the tensioner and the side of the engine and slowly pull down, sort of like pressing down on the tensioner. That will tell you if it's the tensioner. Easy to replace. If it's the bearing in the pulley, just remove the pulley. I managed to do it without removing the radiator shroud. The bearing size number is 3202 / 5202, take your pick. I got 3202. Hold a matching socket on the bearing and place it in a vice and slowly wind / press it out. Reverse for refitting. I just annointed the inside of the pulley with a bit of waterproof grease to help the bearing slide.

28-06-2012, 09:22 PM	#11
walsi Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: north cornwall Car: mercedes vito 120 CDI chipped and lowered Posts: 257	What a cool word, anointed, think i will use that next time i chuck a bucket of water over next doors dog when it craps on my lawn

14-07-2012, 06:44 PM	#12
Comcastle New Member Threadstarter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kent Car: W202 C180 Sport Posts: 23	Thanks for the info guys, I had a play with it the other day to practice taking it apart, and it appears that the bush at the top of the damper is what is causing the noise. Nothing looked untoward when I inspected and cleaned it, but when its in place you can clearly see that its vibrating at that point. I used a breaker bar to push on the top of the damper and the noise and vibration stopped, so it looks a clear case of the damper having expired. Will get round to changing it soon enough, fairly cheap part too thankfully!

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16-12-2012, 05:04 PM	#13
Comcastle New Member Threadstarter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kent Car: W202 C180 Sport Posts: 23	Hmm, just seen this and thought I'd put a conclusion on it! The noise was indeed caused by the damper; the top bush was cracked and split so the metal ring at the top was vibrating against its mount. £30 for a new damper, ten minute job to fit it and problem solved. Nice and simple!