500E Source for 8-rib belt for 1992 M119?

[WFD]

Anyone have a suggestion for a good source for 1992 serphantine belt?

 

[gsxr]

It appears the OE and OEM belts are NLA now (p/n 009-997-87-92).

Look for aftermarket brands in a similar length from your local FLAPS / McParts store (NAPA, AutoZone, etc). Stock 8-rib belt length is 2465mm, but ±5mm should be fine. Maybe even ±10mm? I'm not sure what the limits are of the manual tensioner for a different length. Be careful with the tensioner, don't over-tighten, and make sure to loosen the center bolt before adjusting (and torque to spec after adjusting).

EDIT: Gates K080968 is available from multiple vendors, but is rather expensive at $50-$90 depending on the seller. This will fit all 1992 USA model year M119's with 8-rib belt and manual tensioner.

 

[WFD]

Thanks, tensioner is shot so replacing all of it...I'll pursue the gates belt...

 

[gerryvz]

I've used Gates v-belts for M117 applications in the past, and they are excellent quality - as good as or better than the OEM stuff. I have not been a fan of the OEM "Continental" serpentine belts for many years now, as their quality has gone down. And the Conti belts are not of the same quality as their tires, which are great.

 

[WFD]

Just ordered a Gates on Amazon---$58 but what you gonna do----

 

[gerryvz]

Given the recency of this NLA for the earlier 8-rib belts, it's probably a good idea for owners of the later cars (that use the six-rib belt) to buy a spare for the parts stash. If your car is a US model year 1993 or 1994 car, then a six-rib belt is what you need ....but double-check the number of grooves on your specific car's pulleys if an early 1993 or late 1992 car).

For the six-rib belts, the current part number is 011-997-29-92. Current US MSRP is $65, discounted to ~$50.

 

[Smoky400E]

I recently ordered the Continental belt from Amazon as well, still need to install, but it seemed to perfectly match the old belt that was very cracked. Unfortunately it no longer seems to be available at least from the seller I got it from like 2 weeks ago.

 

[brann]

Given the recency of this NLA for the earlier 8-rib belts, it's probably a good idea for owners of the later cars (that use the six-rib belt) to buy a spare for the parts stash. If your car is a US model year 1993 or 1994 car, then a six-rib belt is what you need ....but double-check the number of grooves on your specific car's pulleys if an early 1993 or late 1992 car).

For the six-rib belts, the current part number is 011-997-29-92. Current US MSRP is $65, discounted to ~$50.

My car is a ‘92 400E and I just took off the six-rib belt that was on the car when I bought it as I am attempting to remove the alternator for testing and VR replacement. All of the pulleys appear to be eight-rib except one—the AC compressor. I purchased a new six-rib belt (011 997 29 92) from Mercedes last weekend but now I’m not so sure I got the right one for my purposes. It’s the same belt you’re referring to here.

Can anyone tell me whether or not this belt will work for my car? I think it’s likely the previous owner of my car replaced the AC compressor pulley with a pulley from a six-rib car, causing me to be unable to use the eight-rib. I don’t understand why anyone would do such a thing but that’s the circumstance I’m stuck with. I just can’t tell if the new six-rib (011 997 29 92) I bought is going to be too long to fit and work properly. Though maybe I can manually tighten it a little extra to make up for the length?

 

[gsxr]

The 8-rib AC compressor is NLA, I believe, which may be why someone installed a 6-rib compressor. Actually, the pulleys can be swapped between compressors, but the previous mechanical apparently did not know this.

The 6-rib belt you bought is a different length and probably will not work. The tensioner likely will not have enough range to tighten normally. You could use a 6-rib belt in the 8-rib length (2465mm), that should work fine, I think? There won't be a Mercedes part number, you'd need to get an aftermarket belt.

Another option, which is far more cost and work, would be to fully convert to the 6-rib belt assembly with spring-loaded tensioner. But that's not practical unless you plan to keep the car for a very long time.

 

[brann]

The 8-rib AC compressor is NLA, I believe, which may be why someone installed a 6-rib compressor. Actually, the pulleys can be swapped between compressors, but the previous mechanical apparently did not know this.

The 6-rib belt you bought is a different length and probably will not work. The tensioner likely will not have enough range to tighten normally. You could use a 6-rib belt in the 8-rib length (2465mm), that should work fine, I think? There won't be a Mercedes part number, you'd need to get an aftermarket belt.

Another option, which is far more cost and work, would be to fully convert to the 6-rib belt assembly with spring-loaded tensioner. But that's not practical unless you plan to keep the car for a very long time.

The belt that was already on the car has some faded lettering and numbers which appear to read Continental and 4060970, a belt that’s used in a few newer Mercedes models. This belt is definitely old, but since I bought the car it has always seemed a bit loose, so I’m not sure it was ever a perfect match.

I only worry that the six-rib AC compressor pulley has a different diameter than the eight-rib compressor pulley but hopefully that’s a bit of a stretch. My car still has the original owner’s manual and it recommends a V belt length of 2460mm. I guess I’ll just look around for a six-rib 2465 mm belt as I can’t imagine it won’t work, but I assume you’re correct, the 2535mm belt I have is going to be too long.