Pulley wobble - CLK

[KP090]

Hi guys,

I have a 2006 CLK 280. Over the last week or so, I’ve heard my car making a strange noise similar to sounding like a scooter when I accelerate or reverse and I believe it gets more prominent the faster I go.

I opened up the bonnet and notice one pulley wobbling while the car was running and stationery.

I’ll upload the video from YouTube and I hope it works so everyone can see what I’m talking about.

Is it a serious issue that I need to get it looked at straight away and fixed? I’ve got a hour and half journey from maidenhead to Coventry next week so getting worried and short on time.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!

 

[KP090]

Sorry I forgot to say, as the video is embedded it’s hard to see but if you open it up in YouTube the link then it will give a clearer and bigger view of the video.

It’s the right hand side of the bay.

 

[Dean Fletcher]

the belt tensioner is a moving part so should have some play in it, mine does the same but only very slightly maybe the belt is stretched.
Getting it changed isn’t a huge job as long as you have the tools probably take 30 mins.
Have you had the belt changed lately I’d get the belt changed for the sake of £20. the tensioner might be fine as can be tested with the belt off for any movement or play.

 

[KP090]

the belt tensioner is a moving part so should have some play in it, mine does the same but only very slightly maybe the belt is stretched.
Getting it changed isn’t a huge job as long as you have the tools probably take 30 mins.
Have you had the belt changed lately I’d get the belt changed for the sake of £20. the tensioner might be fine as can be tested with the belt off for any movement or play.

I had play in one of the pulleys last year and had it changed..
As I saw this wobble, I thought that this could be the reason why I’m getting the noise whenever I accelerate?

 

[Dean Fletcher]

I had play in one of the pulleys last year and had it changed..
As I saw this wobble, I thought that this could be the reason why I’m getting the noise whenever I accelerate?

I wouldn’t have thought so as I don’t think the belt moves fast when accelerating. You might get a squealing noise when the pulley goes bad.

 

[KP090]

I wouldn’t have thought so as I don’t think the belt moves fast when accelerating. You might get a squealing noise when the pulley goes bad.

Thanks for your help again, it’s definitely not a squeal noise, its not a whine or a grinding noise., the only way I can describe it as it like an old scooter accelerating..

In terms of what you see in the video though you don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about?

 

[Dean Fletcher]

Thanks for your help again, it’s definitely not a squeal noise, its not a whine or a grinding noise., the only way I can describe it as it like an old scooter accelerating..

In terms of what you see in the video though you don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about?

No I wouldn’t be overly concerned. Have you had all the other pulleys checked waterpump etc

 

[LostKiwi]

Take the belt (making sure you know how it goes back first). Spin each pulley and feel for roughness or loose. If their is any roughness or excess wobble change the pulley.
You could just change them for peace of mind. They can make a real mess if they fail and they only cost buttons. I did both mine on the V8 in under 30 minutes.

 

[Doug1234]

check alternator clutch / overrun pulley for stiffness

 

[rifiki]

Tension pulley, if original replace with a new one. Should be service item.
They can let go without warning and cause more problems.

 

[KP090]

I had a mechanic look at it and they took the belt off and spun the pulleys. Said tensioner pulley was fine but the alternator, water pump and idler pulley were culprits with the alternator being the main cause of the noise.
While revving the car with the belt back on it make a loud grinding squeak noise.
Was quite £850 for new alternator, water pump, idler pulley and belt.

Does this sound correct in terms of the problem and price?

Thank you

 

[Blobcat]

I had a mechanic look at it and they took the belt off and spun the pulleys. Said tensioner pulley was fine but the alternator, water pump and idler pulley were culprits with the alternator being the main cause of the noise.
While revving the car with the belt back on it make a loud grinding squeak noise.
Was quite £850 for new alternator, water pump, idler pulley and belt.

Does this sound correct in terms of the problem and price?

Thank you

Get the alternator refurbished

 

[KP090]

Spoke to Mercedes parts and they have the pulleys available for the alternator and the water pump so I don’t think the garage I took my car knew mercedes do it seperately rather than buying whole new unit.

this will definitely save me a big chunk of money and hopefully fixes the issues.