Hi,

About two years ago I bought a 1987 420SEL. After a week or so of ownership it died. I was so upset that I didn't even bother trying to find out what happened - the car was scrapped.

I'm wondering if anyone can shed any light on what actually did happen. At first I thought it was the oil pump, but now I'm not so sure.

Here is the story.

I bought the car with an indictaed 120,000 miles. It had obviously done much, much more, and it had no service history, but it was only £900 so I couldn't really complain.

The first thing I noticed was the car smoked a lot - I don't think the smoke was particulary blue, but it smoked loads - especially under more acceleration.

The oil warning light came on a few times, so I was topping up with oil (maybe this light was indictaing a problem with the oil pump?).

I was on the motorway doing about 70mph when all of a sudden I lost power and the biggest amount of smoke I have ever seen in my life poured out of the back. I managed to pull over onto the hard shoulder.

Stupidly, I tried to start the car and it sounded like a bag of nails.

What do you guys think? Oil pump? Timing chain?

I'd like to know so I can avoid it in the future!

Thanks

Oliver

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Oliver