This for my 1999 E300D.

The alternator pulley broke off on my 1999 E300D last week. I have replaced the alternator and want to put the old belt back on just to make sure everything is working. I do have a new belt to install. The old belt is basically still in place except for the pulley on the new alternator. Looking at the tensioner, it looks to me like there is no room there to fit a tool to relieve the tension. If there is a nut there, what size/type of socket fits it? In fact I can't even see or feel a point to fasten a socket to. It looks like there might be some kind of a plastic cover over where the "nut" is?

What am I missing? I thought I've read that nothing has to come off to access the tensioner.

Any input and help appreciated.

Thanks.

__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

Do you have a photo?

I think the 606 tensioner is like the 603… no?

If so, you need to remove the one bolt that holds the tensioner in place, so you can maneuver it with the lug wrench or other leverage.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

I tried to take a photo, but there is too much in the way. The fan just completely hides the tensioner. I checked my service records and saw that I changed that belt twice in the past - both DIY jobs, so it couldn't have been that difficult. I have no memory of how I did it? A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8ayxido5tc&ab_channel=TrevorEzell

__________________
78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

Based upon this it looks like every other 60x tensioner alive ever seen. No big deal.

OP, you do need to loop the belt around the fan. Mind the routing. The fan is likely removed by a stumpy Allan or a female torx, and removal of the fan/clutch can be handy if working up there. The radiator shroud can come out too. Take care for the rad fins!

Good luck, it’s not a bad job.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

Alec and JHCR2:

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!!!

Alec - your video stirred up the few remaining brain cells that are still working. Took maybe five minutes to get it on. I just reinstalled the old belt and will give the car a little test run today to make sure there were no other problems. The old belt still looks good, but I have a new one on hand. The old belt is ten years old with 50K miles on it.

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles