W169 A180 CDI, Serpentine belt issues

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Mega_Angelic

New Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2008
Messages
16
Car
Mercedes A180 CDI w169 Avantgarde SE 3dr, in "Fancy Grey"
Hi Everyone,

I have a fairly long commute, so I sold my 3.0T S80 and bought a little A class for the economy.

It's important to note this is the first diesel I have owned, generally I don't like them.

Anywho, ever since I've had it, it has made an odd rattle on idle, but sounds perfectly normal when touching the accelerator even slightly. thinking this odd I took it to my main dealer to check everything was ok,

They listened to it and told me that it was completely normal and that all a-class diesels sound like it. (having never owned a diesel I accepted that).

Friday night I went to the cinema to watch Texas Chainsaw 3D, it was raining very hard, stormy winds and there was much standing water/flooding on the motorway, but everything with the car was fine. (apart from being blown left right and backwards because it's so tall and light)

When I went to leave the cinema I started the engine, it squealed for a few seconds, (I put this down to water on the belt perhaps), then the belt came off and started slapping around in the engine bay, at the same time the alternator warning came on the dash.

So I stopped the engine and called the AA, I only have basic cover through my bank so had to pay #108 GBP to upgrade so they would tow me the 40 miles home.

I took it to the local 'specialist' garage instead of the main dealer on Saturday and they are going to look at it Monday.

When I described the rattle on idle, and the noise that sounds like a spanner being thrown into a machine when it's turned off, the man in the garage said that wasn't normal at all.

Especially as while I was driving it without the belt on, it didn't make the noise and was actually quite quiet for a diesel.


So my questions...

What is it that could have been making that rattling noise?

What is the most likely cause for the belt to come off?

How much is this likely to set me back? (worst case/best case?)

Apart from the noise there wasn't any other signs of issues.

I have owned it since September 1st and have covered around 12k miles.

It has 84k on the clock, and is a late 2006 model.


Thanks for your help!
 
Failed water pump/ vac pump shot/ idler pulley or alternator free wheel given up the ghost
That just about covers it!
 
Hi Mega_Angelic

One week ago I bought A180 2.0D, the car drives OK but on idle it sounds very bad and the car shakes, it's enough to touch the accelerator and all is fine.
The car has done approximately 50k miles full MB service, I booked it in the Mercedes main dealer for service 'A' (£189.00), and asked them to check the engine as I think that something is wrong under the bonnet but they said that everything is fine.
I had a few diesels before but none of them sounded so badly.
I'm a bit worried, already spent for Merc dealer service and nothing.

Please let us know if you find what is/was wrong with your car.

Any advise would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
The alternator pulley can make the belt train make an awful noise
 
Thanks WG M-B
Is there a way to check it without replacing?
Is it expensive? and as you are in the business do you know trusted garage in Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire?
It's a long way for me to yours.
 
To check it you must first remove the belt, the spin it and flick it back to see if the clutch is working.
Sorry but maybe one of the other members will know of somebody close to you
 
I read a lot of different posts regarding the noise in the engine at idle, but couldn't find anything similar to mine. The car went to garage and after couple of days of investigation - the problem was with belt tensioner and pulley system. Complete tensioner replaced. Rob in MB Service Centre Mansfield provided superb service. Would highly recommend.
Thanks for reading
 
I read a lot of different posts regarding the noise in the engine at idle, but couldn't find anything similar to mine. The car went to garage and after couple of days of investigation - the problem was with belt tensioner and pulley system. Complete tensioner replaced. Rob in MB Service Centre Mansfield provided superb service. Would highly recommend.
Thanks for reading
Hi W, do you still use Rob ? im booked in when he returns to work, for gearbox oil change and new poly belt, which he says is `problematic` regards, dave, north Wingfield.
 

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