So what have you done to your car today?

[Andy H]

For about the 15th time in the last week, I have tried to work out why my 190D throws the aux belt off the pulleys every time the engine is started. Its driving me mad. 

Have you done any work on it recently?

[Doctor Gollum]

Tensioner pulley not twisting under load

[Nick W]

For about the 15th time in the last week, I have tried to work out why my 190D throws the aux belt off the pulleys every time the engine is started. Its driving me mad. 

At least one of the pulleys is out of line, or not running true. If it's a multi-rib belt, start with the tensioner. Then the water pump, as you do the easy stuff(both to diagnose and fix) first. After that, try a straight edge between as many pulley combinations as you can.

[Nick W]

I've checked the fluid levels and tyre pressures as I'm one of the drivers for tomorow's tower grab. All were good, and according to my refractometer, the coolant is good for -30. That's good enough for me.


Jump started Mum's Focus twice. Diagnosed the original 16 year-old battery as faulty, so replaced it. Carrying my pocket sized jump starter a mile to their church was much easier than lugging the traditional one out to the car and having two cars to deal with

[Doctor Gollum]

Pressed the new flanges into the new rear bearings ready to fit them next week.

[annihilator]

Put the Tourer in for it's Mot,passed with no advisories 
John.

[Doctor Gollum]

Put the Tourer in for it's Mot,passed with no advisories 
John.

That's the way to do it

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

For about the 15th time in the last week, I have tried to work out why my 190D throws the aux belt off the pulleys every time the engine is started. Its driving me mad. 

At least one of the pulleys is out of line, or not running true. If it's a multi-rib belt, start with the tensioner. Then the water pump, as you do the easy stuff(both to diagnose and fix) first. After that, try a straight edge between as many pulley combinations as you can.

Ive replaced the whole tensioner mechanism as it was getting a bit worn. It all works as it should, but hasnt helped the problem at all.Alternator is a year old. Checked all pulleys for play and wobble. All seem fine. Havent used a straight edge yet though, so will give that a try.
Unfortunately I suspect crank vibration damper, pulley thing, as everything else seems fine, and the belt stays on while the engine is turned over, but jumps off the second the engine fires up.
If it is that, its over £300 from MB, and rare to find a good used one, so could be the end of the car.

[Doctor Gollum]

Depends on the state of the rest of it... But if the car is fundamentally sound and still costs a pittance to run. £300 would be money well spent.

Have you looked to the US for the damper? Diseasal Mercs are much more prevalent their then you might think, especially the older ones

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Havent looked yet.Wil ltry and get a definite diagnosis first. Is there much aggro with taxes / duties / forms to fill in etc. if buying from the U.S. ?

[Doctor Gollum]

Not normally ime

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Cheers. Will bear it in mind. 

[Nick W]

Havent looked yet.Will try and get a definite diagnosis first. Is there much aggro with taxes / duties / forms to fill in etc. if buying from the U.S. ?

For such a small amount? No.


Your paperwork is limited to ordereing and paying for the goods.


You might have to pay the import tax and a fee to the courier. The tax will depend on value the sender declares when they post it, and is payable on anything over about £20(you should look up the actual current amount). Having it sent as a gift does NOT exclude you from this!! Any insurance will be based on the value. Anything HMRC open without a value will have a non-negotiable one assigned to it, that you will have to pay if you want the goods.

[driver115]

Completed today approx 800 miles of driving this week between Merseyside, Sheffield and Lincolnshire.Apart from resetting the engine management light a couple of times because a couple of the oxygen sensors could do with replacing, my blue 3.2 manual V6 special was a pleasure to drive with just some slow traffic which is usual either into or out of the M62  Manchester.

[ted_one]

Replaced my CDX leather fronts seats with MV6 leather.....much nicer and only £50 the pair and in pretty damn good shape and working properly. The only problem is that the dreaded airbag light is on,although the battery was disconnected for a good time I'm scratching my head on this one,the only thing that was different is that my car has two connectors for the big yellow wire and the new seats have only one.Planning a trip up to Serek's and he's got a Tech 2 so it should be a matter of elimination....hopefully