In a Mercedes-Benz, there are various components that make the engine operate. As you drive the vehicle along roads and highways and shift it up from first to fifth gear, the engine parts must communicate with one another.
The question that is rarely answered, however, concerns how these various engine parts stay in motion while the vehicle is running. The fact is, there is one simple piece of rubber that connects these parts — and it is essential in a Mercedes. The part in question is the serpentine belt.
What Is a Serpentine Belt?
In a Mercedes-Benz, the serpentine belt is the engine part that connects various components in the engine sink. The belt itself is basically a long loop of rubber that provides tension between the air conditioner, the alternator, the power steering and the water pump, all of which are vital to the functionality of the vehicle.
A serpentine belt is smooth on one side and grooved on the other. As a tensioning belt, it is hooked around the pulleys of different engine components. In a sense, the serpentine belt could be thought of as a rubber band for the engine sink of your Mercedes. Just as a rubber band needs to have proportionate amounts of elasticity and tension to function as intended, so too must a serpentine belt have a balance of these qualities.
How Does a Serpentine Belt Work?
The serpentine belt connects multiple peripheral components within the engine sink of a motor vehicle. As the engine runs, the belt directs motion between the alternator, air conditioner and power steering. On certain vehicles, the water pump is also connected to the serpentine belt. Whenever you activate one of these functions from the dashboard or steering wheel, the serpentine belt puts the function into motion. power steering. On certain vehicles, the water pump is also connected to the serpentine belt. Whenever you activate one of these functions from the dashboard or steering wheel, the serpentine belt puts the function into motion.
As you turn your steering wheel with ease — the benefit of power steering — or activate the A/C, the serpentine belt makes it all possible. Even when you first activate the motor, the serpentine belt connects the engine parts that bring the vehicle to life. Without the serpentine belt, these parts would lack torque and thus not even function. Consequently, a vehicle cannot operate without a serpentine belt.
Mercedes-Benz Serpentine Belt Replacement Cost
The cost to replace a serpentine belt on a Mercedes-Benz could be as low as $25 or as high as $600 or more. It all depends on the cost of the belt and the labor involved, as well as other factors individual to the auto mechanic you choose.
A serpentine belt itself will sell for as low as $25 or as much as $75. The price will depend on the manufacturer and the quality of the belt and rubber. The labor might cost anywhere from $120 to $200 per hour. It generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes for a mechanic to install the belt, though it can sometimes take longer.
The Difference Between Serpentine Belts and the Belts in Older Vehicles
In the earlier days of automotive design, engine components were equipped with individual belts. On the upside, each belt could be replaced on its own once it no longer served its purpose. On the downside, this could result in several worn-down belts at once. In today's engine, there is only one belt and therefore less hassle when it comes time to change out the belt for a new one.
To ensure the serpentine belt in your engine remains in healthy shape for the service life of your Mercedes, it is important to know how to identify the symptoms of belt trouble when they arise. It is also helpful to know how to inspect the issue since you might need to have the belt replaced immediately.
How Often Should a Serpentine Belt Be Inspected?
One of the most opportune times to have your serpentine belt inspected is when you take the vehicle in for an oil change. Depending on how often you drive your Mercedes and the amount of mileage you rack up in a given week, you should take the vehicle in for an oil change every three to four months or every 3,000 to 5,000 miles driven.
As the car undergoes each oil change, the auto technicians will inspect the components of your engine to see if anything needs to be replaced. While they will often recommend that you buy a new filter, they might also inspect the serpentine belt. If the mechanic does not comment on the belt, ask for an inspection to learn whether or not the rubber and tension are in good condition.
Can I Inspect My Own Mercedes Serpentine Belt?
When it comes to the layout of an engine sink, the design of a Mercedes makes it relatively easy to inspect the serpentine belt. In a Mercedes, the belt is located in front of the engine. When you pop the hood of the vehicle, you can see the belt wound around the pulleys.
As you inspect the belt, look for cracks or chips along the rubber. Cracks are liable to form along the grooved side of an older belt. If you have heard clicking sounds from your engine, look for a chip along the length of the belt. Missing chunks in the rubber are a common cause for clicking noises. While the noise might sound like metal-on-metal, it could actually be due to a gap in the belt. Of course, a belt in that condition should be replaced immediately.
How Often Does a Serpentine Belt Need to Be Replaced?
Serpentine belts are known for their long-lasting resilience. Designed to replace the old-fashioned belts of earlier automobiles, serpentine belts are made of advanced rubber that allows for superior tension against thousands of miles of stress. In proper conditions, a serpentine belt is expected to last in optimal condition for anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles of vehicle usage.
Despite the fact that serpentine belts are designed for rugged endurance, they do sometimes need to be tensioned manually to ensure maximum life and optimal performance. Certain belts are designed with an auto-tension mechanism that becomes fatigued after thousands of miles of use and will sometimes require servicing.
The most important thing to know about serpentine belts is the crucial role they play in the functionality of a vehicle. If the belt breaks, the vehicle will not operate, plain and simple. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your belt in good shape throughout the time you drive your Mercedes.
As a serpentine belt starts to slip, the rubber is liable to make squealing noises. When you hear these types of sounds, it is usually due to a fault in the pulley or insufficient belt tension. In some cases, it could simply be down to worn rubber.
Other contributing factors in certain cases of belt noise include leaky oil or antifreeze. In any case, a squeaky serpentine belt should be inspected immediately, as such noises are indicative of imminent problems with the belt and, possibly, various other engine components.
If your Mercedes-Benz is making odd noises, the sounds could be coming from other parts of the vehicle that may or may not be related to belt failure. Whatever the case, odd noises should always be inspected. When a noise does emanate from the vehicle, it generally means there is a problem — whether it's an imminent problem or a just-forming one — with the part in question.
A less common indicator of serpentine belt trouble is light illumination from the engine. If you encounter this strange behavior from your Mercedes at any time, run the vehicle in for a service inspection immediately.
How Do I Know When My Serpentine Belt Needs Replaced?
Since your Mercedes serpentine belt is a vital part of your engine, It's important to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of a worn serpentine belt, before it's too late.
Symptoms of a Worn Serpentine Belt that Needs to be replaced:
- The rubber belt has lost its tension
- The rubber belt has cracks or accumulated wear
- The belt is fray along the edges.
- The rubber takes on a shinier appearance.
When a belt becomes old and worn, there is the possibility that it might snap outright. This is, of course, the most dangerous of possibilities —but don't ignore the warning signs- a broken belt will render your Mercedes-Benz inoperable. After all, the belt is what drives torque between various engine components. Without this movement, the engine parts cannot communicate with one another.
If any of these signs become apparent when you look at your serpentine belt, have the belt inspected immediately by a Mercedes service professional.
What Are the Benefits of a Mercedes-Benz Serpentine Belt Replacement?
Aside from the obvious fact that you may have put a lot of money into your Mercedes, and proactive maintenance can help your car run efficiently and last longer- the serpentine belt is a very important piece to your Mercedes engine. When a driver allows a Mercedes to run on a worn serpentine belt, the potential for disaster goes without saying. The belt, after all, is what powers the majority of accessories within the vehicle's engine. If the rubber of the belt is worn or faulty, the belt could break literally any moment as you drive along a street, bridge or freeway. and last longer- the serpentine belt is a very important piece to your Mercedes engine. When a driver allows a Mercedes to run on a worn serpentine belt, the potential for disaster goes without saying. The belt, after all, is what powers the majority of accessories within the vehicle's engine. If the rubber of the belt is worn or faulty, the belt could break literally any moment as you drive along a street, bridge or freeway.
If the moment does arise where the serpentine belt suddenly breaks, the entire functionality of the Mercedes will halt right there. Without the belt, everything will cease to work — the power steering will not pump, the alternator will not work and the air conditioner will not generate cold air. The vehicle as you know it will not be operable as long as there is no belt to connect the components of the engine.
Perhaps even more dangerously, the parts of the vehicle controlled by the serpentine belt are liable to become damaged if the belt breaks. In worst case scenarios, engine components can get damaged from the lack of belt support and ultimately require replacement, all of which could be draining to your finances and consuming of your time.
As such, when you keep the serpentine belt in optimal shape through regular inspections, you ensure both the functionality of the Mercedes and the longevity of all the vehicle's engine parts.
Are Serpentine Belts the Only Type of Belt on Today's Vehicles?
The serpentine belt is the most widely used type of belt in today's automobiles. However, some cars include V-belts — often referred to as “fan belts” — that handle the same functions for the engine as the serpentine belt. Alternately, certain cars are equipped with timing belts — also known as “toothed belts” — which work to keep the engine parts performing as designed.
According to some auto experts, it is best to use continental serpentine belts because of the quality of rubber, which allows for smoother running and longer-lasting performance.
Where to Find Replacement Mercedes-Benz Serpentine Belts at an Affordable Cost
For more than 40 years, Burdi Motorworks has specialized in vehicular service and repair work for Mercedes owners in the Chicago area. Located in Schiller Park, Ill., we offer competitively priced service work, parts replacements and accessories. accessories.
Family-owned and -operated since 1971, Burdi Motorworks strives to offer superior workmanship at the best possible value. Mercedes-Benz owners from around the state of Illinois have long come to Burdi for superior work on their vehicles. Whether you need to have maintenance on an engine part or have a component replaced outright, we can restore your vehicle to the condition it was in when you first drove it off the lot.
Get Your Mercedes-Benz Serpentine Belt Replaced at Burdi Motorworks
At Burdi Motorworks, we use authentic Mercedes-Benz parts on all the vehicles we service and repair, straight from the automaker. You won't find any dubious aftermarket parts here. We diagnose vehicles quickly and affordably regardless of the problem at hand. All of our technicians are factory-trained to service and repair Mercedes vehicles. regardless of the problem at hand. All of our technicians are factory-trained to service and repair Mercedes vehicles.
At Burdi, our customers generally save up to 40% over other providers. When you come to us for service, you get the following benefits:
- Affordable parts and service
- Early morning and nighttime drop-off
- Free shuttle service to O'Hara Airport and Rosemont CTA
- Round-the-clock towing
- Free Wi-Fi in our waiting area
The serpentine belt is one of the most important parts of a Mercedes-Benz. Even though the belt is a simple loop of rubber, it is the part that connects your engine components. Without it, the vehicle will not run. As such, the rubber of that belt must be in optimal condition at all times for the safety, operability and service life of your Mercedes.
Some Mercedes owners ignore the warning signs of a bad belt and ultimately come to regret that decision. Do not be one of those people. As a Mercedes owner, you owe it to yourself to make the most of your initial investment in your vehicle. A Mercedes without a good serpentine belt is a vehicle in jeopardy. A Mercedes with a good serpentine belt is a vehicle you can be proud of and rely on for long mileage and service life.
Schedule an appointment today with Burdi Motorworks to get a new serpentine belt installed on your Mercedes-Benz.
Sources:
http://blog.firestonecompleteautocare.com/maintenance/your-cars-serpentine-belt/
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/common-signs-your-drive-belt-needs-replacement
https://www.yourmechanic.com/estimates/mercedes-benz/ml320/serpentine-drive-belt-replacement
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/1306574-serpentine-belt-change.html