Auxillary Drive Belt

[wingco]

My W202 (C250TD) had A/C retro-fitted when I bought it at 64K, so it had a new auxillary drive belt fitted. The car has now done 136K, and I am wondering when I should change the belt. I know the manual sais just check it at services and does not specify a finite life for the belt.

The belt looks pretty good and my mechanic sais it looks OK. How long do they last?

 

[pascal]

I have never changed one on a motor for 20 years (not the same motor~)

Certainly they are made out of better stuff these days

 

[tom7035]

Not quite as critical as a timing belt wingco, at least it won't wreck your engine if it breaks. For peace of mind, carry a new one in the boot just in case.

(P.S. and a diagram!!)

 

[Myros]

after my own heart...

had a new tensioner damper fitted yesterday, mechie said look at this (11 yr old, 100,000mile) belt. it's cracking up. I calmly walked around to the boot, pulled out my emergency, don't want to break down in a foreign land without one spare and had that fitted. The easy way to check them is inspect it where it runs "upside down" on the air pump I think, on the exhaust manifold side with the ribs outermost. If they are cracking, change it. Only about a tenner from ECP, Bosch original.

 

[wingco]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will get a spare for the boot.

 

[tom7035]

Don't forget the diagram wingco, especially with an additional air-con pulley!

 

[wingco]

Thanks Tom, good advice