Engine Belt and Tensioner

[Jit C240]

Evening All,

The Tensioner on my W202 C240 has started to make an annoying rattle when the car is on idle. The noise disappears however when the car is in motion or when the engine is rev'd.

I took the car to a local mechanic, who said the car needs a new Tensioner and Belt. He quoted me around £100 for the Tensioner, £27 for a new belt, and £50 for labour. So thats £177! I think thats really steep!

Do these prices seem fair for the parts? What kind of price should I be looking at? Also Has anyone replaced this on their W202, is it a big job?

Many thanks in advance

 

[rpe2]

Check that it is not the idler pulley rattling on the water pump, much cheaper..

Is the belt cracked at all? If not, probably doesn't need replacing.

...and even if it does all need replacing, its not a big job.

 

[Jit C240]

Thank you Richard,

No the belt is absolutely fine, the guy said its best to replace it anyway?

 

[BlackC55]

Check the crank pulley for cracks in the rubber damper too.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I recently had a similar noise, then the water pump bearings collapsed

I paid £28 for a belt at MB (£90 for the pump) so the prices he's quoting sound like what you would pay at any dealer, he'll obviously get them trade.
You can source them cheaper using the net, but you'll have no warranty from the mechanic for them.

Are they genuine MB parts he's supplying?

The Idler and tensioner are not hard to change, about an hour for a mechanic.

Bear in mind he has to warranty his work, hence the precaution of changing the belt (good practice)

It doesn't sound like he's over charging you, just that all the bits and pieces soon add up.

 

[grober]

The official price from MB for the tensioner part no A 112 200 09 70 is £154-54 from Inchcape. Mercedes-Benz Parts, Inchcape