As usual, Marshall calls the truth without even looking at the car. An inspection of my idler shock reveals that it is spoiled (spins around, can't be tightened.) It is the source of the sound.
I bought a shock and idler (to keep in the trunk with allen wrench) for future. Still haven't touched the wretched shutoff valve. AS a test, I plugged in the vacuum line to the new shutoff valve and watched from inside the car as I turned the key "off." The new valve closes all the way. TIME to pull the old one out? Oh pooooo. John Peterson 1991 300D 2.5 79k -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Marshall Booth Sent: Friday, May 26, 2006 2:23 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Serpentine Belt Lower Pivot - Need Help! [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Help! > I rec'd my Bentley manual and noticed the warning about the tensioner > becoming worn and out of alugnment - checked my '91 300D 2.5 this am and > discovered 1/4" play. I'm ordering all new stuff from Rusty - but I need to > know if it's safe to drive like this as I expect the parts won't arrive > until next tuesday. - > > 2 questions - > 1st - Should I park it 'til I fix it? (my wife would drive it today, Sat & > Sun to work - 100 mi RT each day - unless ya'll say it's too dangerous.) > > 2nd -- where the H do I find the engine #? I've looked all over but > evidently not the right place. As I mentioned - it;s a '91, W124 5 cyl 2.5 > Turbo. It is unlikely to fail until there is considerable noise from the area (and you have driven it a lot and it hasn't failed YET), but if the idler is more than a few degrees out of parallel with the length of belt above it, I wouldn't be taking any long trips. Be sure you have a 12 mm allen hex key/socket that will fit the lever. I'd also order new plastic front covers for the idler and tensioner lever to keep dirt out. In my experience, the belt/tensioner/shock/idler assembly require attention about every 75kmi, but not every piece needs to be replaced every time. The shock absorber seems to be the shortest lived element. The original equipment ones seem to last about 75-80kmi while the aftermarket ones seem to fail at more like half that interval (but they cost less too). Marshall -- Marshall Booth (who doesn't respond to unsigned questions) "der Dieseling Doktor" [EMAIL PROTECTED] '87 300TD 182Kmi, '85 190D 2.0 161Kmi, '87 190D 2.5 turbo 237kmi, '84 190D 2.2 229Kmi (retired) _______________________________________ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
