Diesel Engine Specific Aid

I have a 1974 115 chassis 240D. I've been having issues with the alternator belt losing tension and squealing. My problem seems to be the the infernal way the tensioning works, mostly with the rack that the star headed bolt moves along. The rack seems to move up when I try to use the star bolt to tighten the belt, regardless of how tight the rack bolt itself is. I tried to skip the whole silly star bolt thing by simply levering the alternator with a judiciously placed prybar and then tightening the pivot bolt and star bolt. It seems to hold for one or two trips to the grocery store before the dreaded squeals start again. I'm using the conti brand belts and have replaced the star bolt and nut.

I purchased the Mercedes Source Valve Adjustment wrenches and Manual soon after purchasing my first Mercedes (1984 300 D). And, faithfully, the valves have been adjusted ever since. ....Until today.. After adjusting 9 valves, the tenth one will not adjust. It is the exhaust valve on cylinder #2. I can't get the adjustment past .008in. Does this mean that the valve or seat is worn beyond tolerances? Or, am I missing a 'simple' solution? cory

Hi Everyone, Just want to first also throw my 2 cents in that this is the best Mercedes Site - period. All books and tools I have received - work, so please do shop here. Also, I have found things generally are easier to do than you expect.

Since I upgraded my glow plug relay to the type of relay that leaves the glow plugs on for a few minutes after start up, the alternator belts have been squeeling until the relay shuts off. I would like to put in a solonoid on the power supply to the relay with a momentary on button on the dash... But, in addition to that, I simply need to tighten the Alternator belts. It seems an easy thing to do on a car like this, which is so comfy to work on, but I can't seem to get the job done. It seems there should be a bolt, or a nut, to loosen behind somewhere, then turn the long, skinny hex shaped thing, and then tighten up the whatever. I can't find the bolt or nut, or whatever!