Mercedes A Class - belt problems

BRM

I’m getting a loud whining noise from my A Class (W168) when travelling over 30PMH. It’s not effected by revs and it seems to go when travelling on twisty roads (using the power steering etc)

It’s at its worst on the motorway (straight flat roads) I think it could be a bearing in the belt tensioner or the alternator as its only related to road speed and not engine speed.

Anyone had this problem? Ive had the wheels checked over and it doesn’t appear to be a bearing (no play in the front wheels).

Nissan doctor

If it was a belt noise then it would change with engine RPM....although the auxiliary belt tensioner and guide pullies are very prone to failure on these.

BRM

yeah i might replace the wheel bearings on the front at the weekend - 80K on the car but city driving might have caused them to get loose.

Last thing I need is to be replacing is the belt tensioners - looks like an engine out job !

Nissan doctor

BRM wrote: »

yeah i might replace the wheel bearings on the front at the weekend - 80K on the car but city driving might have caused them to get loose.

Last thing I need is to be replacing is the belt tensioners - looks like an engine out job !

Are the wheel bearings gone? I don't see the point in changing them if not.

The belt tensioner and guide pulley are actually fairly handy to change once you can get under the car properly...i.e, a lift.

BRM

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Are the wheel bearings gone? QUOTE]

This is what Im trying to find out, theres no real play in the wheels (had it on a lift yesterday) and the noise dosent get bad until 30+Mph on straight road.

Nissan doctor

BRM wrote: »

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Are the wheel bearings gone? QUOTE]

This is what Im trying to find out, theres no real play in the wheels (had it on a lift yesterday) and the noise dosent get bad until 30+Mph on straight road.

Well it may well be the bearings so, but if you had it on a lift then you should be able to hear/feel the roughness when you spin the wheels by hand.

There won't always be play.


The failing belt pullies would be obvious with the bonnet open and engine running so sounds like it may not be your problem.

lizardking123

sounds like you could have noise from tyres.is it coming fro front or rear of car? if you can definitley locate it to front,try moving the front wheels to the rear and see if the noise follows the wheels.i have seen this happening many times,it can happen with economy tyres or worn down tyres but have also seen it in good condition continentals.

d o'c

sounds like wheel bearings, but to rule out the engine simply dip the clutch for a few seconds when on the open road to let the engine idle. if noise is still there probably wheel bearings esp when it comes and go around bends.

driven wheel off the ground, handbrake on (stands),open space, go into 5th gear ,release clutch slow, very easy on throttle,build up to 60mph,(will take 2 seconds) then knock it into neutral. you will know if you have a bad bearing.

matrix0798

Hello everyone,
Can anyone try to help in regard of my Merc A class, engine is loud and sounds like diesel (clack, clack, clack) at lower speeds only.I could literally feel the car shaking, also on few occasions my car wouldn't start the engine, at traffic lights junctions car would stop and I would need to switch on the ignition. Now at high speeds car works very well, noise is not as prominent, at lower speeds it feels like a diesel car clack clack clack. I also noticed that engine RAM at acceleration goes very high at times. I have been to the garage man said timing chain is gone. Anyone with the same experience.

Jimmyireland

Sounds like the same symptoms that I had when the timing chain went on my W211 E Class Kompressor