Poly V Belt Replacement

[jpuzas]

Guys,
I looked all over the site and searched for a procedure for poly V Belt replacement for 2005 E500 4matic wagon and can't find anything. I saw one for a diesel but not the same. Here are my questions:

1) Should I replace the tensioner assembly at 100,000 miles?
2) How do I remove the tensioner assembly? I have the old style "A" per the service manual.
3) How do I release the tension to replace the belt only? If I do not want to replace tensioner assembly.

The service manual shows a tool that looks like it connects to the center of the tensioner pulley. Do I use that to relieve the tension to remove the belt. I tried relieving the tension by holding it with my hand and pulling and could not budge it. Thanks for your help

Jeff.

[Roadking999]

Jeff,
1- Yes, by all means, change the tensioner as well, most belt problems are caused by worn out tensioners, try to get a Gates tensioner from an auto parts store, the one that was in my car was a Gates tensioner with a MB logo and it was identical to the one that I bought from the local auto parts store. You will probably save a lot of money.
2- The old style has a male torx on the pulley, you need a E10 female socket, using a ratchet, rotate counter clockwise and insert a pin or a fat nail to preload the tensioner in the back, if you're not sure how to do this, buy a new tensioner and look in the back to see how it is done. Remove the belt then the 2 bolts holding the tensioner to the engine block.
3- Just follow 2 without removing the tensioner, release the tensioner by rotating it counter clockwise until you're able to remove the pin, then ease it in a clockwise direction.

[jpuzas]

[QUOTE=kiblawi1;4788975]Jeff,
2- The old style has a male torx on the pulley, you need a E10 female socket, using a ratchet, rotate counter clockwise and insert a pin or a fat nail to preload the tensioner in the back, if you're not sure how to do this, buy a new tensioner and look in the back to see how it is done. Remove the belt then the 2 bolts holding the tensioner to the engine block.
QUOTE]

If you could look straight at the tensioner pully would the male torx be at 11 oclock or more like in the area of 6 oclock? I see a male torx from up top but it looks like one that secures the tensioner to the block

Thanks

[Roadking999]

If you don't see the torx, then you probably have a new style tensioner with a 17mm nut right next to the pulley, use a 17mm socket and a 1/2 inch ratchet to get leverage and follow the procedure above, if you're not sure; PM me a picture and I'll confirm.