MHD Belt question

[cdo1uk]

I just went in to Maidstone Smart centre to ask how much they can change the belt for, and the price all in is £80, not bad for a main dealer, but then i asked about a fix for it i have heard of to prevent the belts coming off or breaking. They knew about the part that fixes it, but that is £300.... really.... has anyone ever heard of this or had it done to their cars?

[petronic]

Re: MHD Belt question

Yes my belt snapped earlier this year - I was very lucky and suffered no damage. It was repaired and the "kit fitted" to control the flexibility in the pullies/alternator etc - each time the service takes place they check for wear now. All I can say if you dont have it done and the engine gets damaged the cost could be £000 - perhaps a new engine? This is not to scare you but I saw one last saturday that had the same issue late 58 plate MHD - engine gone!!! Its your decision but no doubt some will say it has not happened to them, but it did happen to me. MHD Sept 2010 car - so it is up to you - perhaps someone can do it cheaper? What I am not happy about the dealerships are aware of this - no recall of vehicles - it appears to be a case of "suck it and see" if it happens we will deal with it at the time!!!! They did check the distance I travelled after the belt went - if too much distance (they decide) then the damage/cost could be down to you!!!!!! they tried this on me to start - but I won in the end?

[cdo1uk]

Re: MHD Belt question

thanks for your reply... this is my thought, better to sort it before theres a problem. Its just 300 for a bracket, is a bit much when its a fix for something they built wrong. is there anyone else doing these brackets, i can fit it myself if there is.

[cdo1uk]

Re: MHD Belt question

ok ive booked my car in to Maidstone smart for the updated parts and new belt... all in is £285... It took half an hour and 7 different people to actually get the parts i wanted Pulley, bracket and belt... no disrespect to anyone, but all i got were women who are just there to answer the phone, no idea what i was talking about.... when i finally got through to someone who understood, he was told i wanted a stater motor fitted to an a class... Chinese whispers. and i had to tell them 4 times i didnt want my car cleaned (im a valeter and have seen their people washing cars.... no thanks)

[petronic]

Re: MHD Belt question

[IMG][/IMG]WARNING JUST CHECKED MY BELT DURING WEEKLY CHECK SEE PHOTO - This the second time this has happened something is wrong with the MHD this is a warning to all to have their cars checked - if a belt goes whilst in motion it could cost a new engine. Taking to Mercadies Monday am will update you - it does have the kit fitted!!! it appears at first glance it does not solve the problem.

[mark bowie]

Re: MHD Belt question

last year i had a new belt fitted under warranty by smart tunbridge who a the same compeny as maidstone and thay had the car for two days when i got it back thay had fitted a new belt pulley and alternator and mount for the alternator six months later the belt started two fray agian so i traded it in for a CDI 45I

[cdo1uk]

Re: MHD Belt question

this is ridiculous, there must be a way of stopping this... what is it that makes the mhd do this over the normal one?

[Mr T]

Re: MHD Belt question

this is ridiculous, there must be a way of stopping this... what is it that makes the mhd do this over the normal one?

The belt is used to start the engine, so has to deal with a much higher load.
Has anybody tried a belt made by another manufacturer, might be worth a punt as could be a quality issue.

[cdo1uk]

Re: MHD Belt question

how hard would it be to change to a starter motor and normal system? or would it last longer just by never using the start/stop part

[Mr T]

Re: MHD Belt question

...would it last longer just by never using the start/stop part

Most probably.

[petronic]

Re: MHD Belt question

Hi got car back new belt was going again 5000 since service and check. They are going to check the belt foc each month. The second belt is different to the original a thicker belt so we will see
a

[cdo1uk]

Re: MHD Belt question

i got mine back after having the new pulley and bracket along with a new belt... there is no play at all on the alternator/starter now and the belt is a different part number to the other belt... i have to say, it seems to start better now too...

[Evilution]

Re: MHD Belt question

Smart are now drilling out the mounting hole in the engine and fitting a bearing or high tensile steel insert. They realised that the tension in the belt was elongating the hole in the aluminium casting on the engine, this was slightly angling the alternator which caused the wear. Smart techs around the world will be going mad as they have to remove the engine to fit the drilling jig. It's going to take up a lot of their time.

[cdo1uk]

Re: MHD Belt question

Really this is now a design flaw so should be a recall

[cougar7609]

Re: MHD Belt question

Does anyone know how to switch the MHD off as default? As in when the car is turned on the MHD doesnt switch on which isnt the case with the car at the moment, its on when you start it. So I dont have to keep pressing the button to turn it off, because its a poor system. Its slow and sluggish and too trigger happy to switch itself off so when you come to an almost stop at a roundabout its switching off just when you want it on to get going. It should also stop this problem of the belt breaking as well. Mines a 2013 model so I would hope its been remedied but even so I want it off until I want it on.