Hi I’m a relatively new member, hoping I might be able to get some advice. A lady on her own got no man to help me.-lol could do with a bit of advice

[cathyndean]

In March of this year, I bought a Mercedes B 200. well maintained cars since purchase, just wondered if anyone could tell me is there a warning light that comes on to tell you that your crankshaft is about to seize? Apologies if that sounds stupid, I had a battery warning light come on., which I assumed meant that the battery was not charging, I got it to a safe place, and call the AA, the long and the short of it ,is the belt snapped, the alternator drive belt tensioner was striped,and the crankshaft pulley fell apart when the garage took the belt off. As I get a warning light if my tire pressures are half a pound out., I was quite surprised that there was no forewarning that this was about to happen, unfortunately I’m deaf so if there was any racket, I didn’t hear it.— the repair bill is now horrendous

 

[Botus]

Most cars since 2000 have three main warning lights - but later cars get more - they all come on to check the bulbs / circuits as you first turn the key on

all should extinguish and stay off for the entire journey
1, 2, 3, below go off when the engine is running -
4, 5, 6, 7 below are other important lights these days - and should go off 5 seconds after turning the key on

1) Red one that looks like a battery - to say if its charging correctly
2) Red one that looks like an Oil can - to say the pressure of the oil in the engine is OK (this should not come on ever - its not a low level light) - I would expect your car will probably say on a display in words if the oils level needs topping up - but would need to verify if you have this
3) Orange EML - (Engine management light - USA call a CEL check engine light) . This only comes on to say something is wrong with the way the engine is running. And it can be less helpful than you want - it might mean you really need to stop and not drive - or it can mean its a little unhappy but OK to carry on.

4) If its a diesel they can have a forth - Orange light that these days goes off very quickly and should remain off - its to indicate heaters in the engine to help the car start. These are on when first turning the key, and its meant to remain off (but newer cars are so fast might never notice it)

Then modern cars get safety systems so have a check for Safety systems

5) Red Airbag light - self check of the system at first start - off if OK
6) Red ABS light - self test of the brake system - off if OK
7) Orange ESP traction control and over enthusiastic cornering support - might flash if in slippery conditions

the ancillary drive belt falling off its common so I wouldn't worry too much about that - usually driven by cheap bearings in a idler pulley that fails making the belt fall off. The only issue is the belt whizzing about might in rare cases hit other stuff - but the AA guy should have had a good check for this... Unfortunately other than an audible noise of that bearing being sad (that is often hard to hear when driving) it just happens - the light can only come on after the belt has broken, as the charging bit no longer turning is what makes the red light come on.

Cost wise it should not normally be horrific - if nothing bad happened...
Often it might be £50 for the pulley and £60 for the belt plus an Hours labour...
But you say its the 'Crankshaft pulley' - these can be a more complex part (especially on a Diesel) and I could guess main dealer prices might be £350 the same £60 for the belt and getting at it might be complex... so far more labour.
They might even have completed some service work and that will push cost right up - did they say it needed a 'Cam belt' ? (if this engine has one)

I would like to keep the old parts and check out if this is a common problem - is there any warranty to cover this ?
Need the actual model and engine size for people to help more - Mileage, info on service history, age of vehicle, might mean you have more options to ask for support on costs from the Manufacturer

Other modern stuff cars do - If you get vastly reduced engine performance - usually with the Orange EML, its to say its holding back, as something is wrong - but its still running to help you limp to somewhere to get it checked as quickly as possible... but again its not that helpful - If it seems to run well it could be one silly sensor that doesn't really matter, and you could drive 500 miles - its its jerky and feels / smells hot and bothered, get somewhere safe ASAP and take look / ask for support

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Good morning, I doubt you would have had a warning light for the crankshaft pulley failing as it is a mechanical item. It just goes round with no real way of monitoring it. It would have made a noise when it was failing, quite a lot too.
Unfortunately you will always be unaware of a noisy mechanical failing.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

With some engines the serpentine belt breaks and wraps itself around the crankshaft pulley and tries to push its way past the crankcase pulley seal and into the sump this a major failure and hopefully not what’s happened with your engine. The fault may be the belt wearing and slipping off leading to the crankshaft pulley being damaged still quite an expensive repair though.
It would be more helpful if you could get the garage to be more specific about what has happened re cost of repair

 

[mioba]

simple eyeball maintenance every month, pop bonnet and inspect, should have seen a worn belt, hindsight and all i know.

Glad you are all sorted.

Maybe get a man to help you