I am doing some maintenance on my 2001 e320. Finally got the oil change down with some help from this forum. I want to change the serpentine belt but don't see the usual 3/8" square drive hole to move the tensioner. What looks like the tensioner is on the drivers side above the air compressor with a nut next to the pully and a torx bolt through it. How do I remove tension?

thanks,
vifa

 

Use a long breaker bar with the TORX socket to release the tension on the belt... hold it and then replace the new mono belt...then release the tension ..very easy!

 

Is it similar on an E-420?

 

how to remove the tensioner on 1998 mercede E320

 

please advice

 

When you are changing the serpentine belt, normally there is no need to remove the Tensioner, just pull back a little using a long breaker bar with the correct Torx sucket (normally I go to AutoZone to rent these tools (free of Charge, they will take your credit card number down just in case you don't return the tools). Anyway, just pull back on the tensioner a little - (it is spring loaded), pull back enough to slide your belt on, once the belt is on release the tensioner and DONE!

 

Thank you, I kept looking at the tensioner and trying to figure out how to loosen the tension. I have both torx and e-torx sockets so I was able to remove the belt to spin the idler pulley. The pulley indeed does need to be replaced since it makes noise when I spin it. Tomorrow I will buy a new pulley and replace the bad one.

 

I also can not figure out how to loosen the belt. What pulley is it.