Stuck in NE - vacuum pump failed - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #61 05-11-2006, 09:27 PM

I'd take the chance if I could get it real cheap, like a few hundred bucks. But I do all of my own work so my labor costs will be zero.

Besides whats a few grand for a new engine if you like the car? Cheaper then a new CDI.

Brian Carlton · #62 05-11-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

That's what I'm thinking too. I'd hate to put much money/effort into a used engine with an unknown history. I might take a chance on a known low mileage engine if I could gat some maintenance history.

Different situation for the 617 vs. 603. A decent 617 can be had for $500-$700.
A good value, IMHO. A decent 603 is considerably more........if you can find one.

Brian Carlton · #63 05-11-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

But I do all of my own work..............

This is false.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

so my labor costs will be zero.

This is true.

Hatterasguy · #64 05-11-2006, 09:39 PM

Labor costs are still zero!

#65 05-11-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Different situation for the 617 vs. 603. A decent 617 can be had for $500-$700.
A good value, IMHO. A decent 603 is considerably more........if you can find one.

I know, but that won't help me get my "new" W123.

Just think of these little problems as opportunities for restoration. I can still buy a reman long block for about half the cost of a Kia, and 10% the cost of a CDI.

Hatterasguy · #66 05-11-2006, 10:33 PM

Well if you really want to go nuts, I'm sure the MB Classic Center can hook you up with a "new" W123.

All you need to do is write that check.

#67 05-11-2006, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Well if you really want to go nuts, I'm sure the MB Classic Center can hook you up with a "new" W123.

All you need to do is write that check.

I guess I'll just have to do it one part at a time. Lots and lots of smaller checks.

#68 05-16-2006, 02:43 PM

Well, my 300D is finally back on the road, only took 3 weeks and $2500. Actually, I'm pretty lucky. I just took a look at the timing chain and the top sprocket that they took out. One of the links on one side of the chain was stretched so you could see about 50% of the hole. The other side seemed to be intact. A couple of the sprocket teeth were pretty dinged up. No bent valves. There was no obvious damage to the tensioner, but I replaced it anyway. Apparently, there was quite a bit of debris in the oil pan. Anyway, I now have a new chain, sprocket, tensioner, and valve cover. I also had them redo the IP timing and adjust the valves. Runs great now.

I don't know what kept the chain from breaking, but it would have been really ugly.

I'll have to try not to do that again anytime soon.

Brian Carlton · #69 05-16-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I don't know what kept the chain from breaking, but it would have been really ugly.

I'll have to try not to do that again anytime soon.

Well, considering the alternative........removal of the head and replacement of all valves and towers..........the outcome is not all that bad.

#70 05-16-2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Well, considering the alternative........removal of the head and replacement of all valves and towers..........the outcome is not all that bad.

That's for sure, if it had come to that I think I would have just ordered a long block. BTW, he took a look at the oil pump chain and said it was in "good shape." Hope he's right.

My only little issue now is the battery didn't seem to like sitting around unused for a couple of weeks. When I picked up the car, the (aftermarket) radio wasn't working, and I found the fuse (in the radio) blown. While I was playing with the radio, the battery went dead again. I'm guessing they jumped and/or charged it and blew the radio fuse. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up having to replace the battery too.

Diesel911 · #71 11-01-2007, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry123400

Craig, sounds good so far. I could be mistaken but suspect your cam timing is one tooth retarded. Earlier I thought iit would be advanced but now think that is wrong. The chain advanced on the sprocket but that results in the cam sprocket being retarded. Just was not thinking clearly. Not unusual. Either way it makes no basic difference at this point. If the object transited between the chain and sprocket. The smoking might be explained simply by the changed cam timing. I suspect you are going to luck out on this one. Your total bill might make you wonder if you lucked out of course but it could have been far worse in my opinion. That 450.oo tow bill alone has gota hurt. Is your old valve cover weldable or can you get a junkyard cover? Perhaps we should all be examining our vaccum pumps irregardless of model at a certain milage if they have never been changed or we are not aware if they have. Needless to say the ones that are known to fail should be changed out. If only by one of the new style ones from a junkyard if funds are short. It is like playing russian roulette otherwise .

If his cam gear is off 1 tooth is it possible to bring it back into time with an offset key or can the gear be removed and moved one tooth?

barry123400 · #72 11-01-2007, 02:57 AM

There is not an offsett key to correct that amount of movement I believe. The cam sprocket is keyed so it also cannot be moved in relationship to its shaft to enable a correction either. So the chain has to be moved in relationship to the sprocket somehow to restore the relationship of the cam to the crank.

#73 11-01-2007, 08:22 AM

This was a year and a half ago; I ended up replacing the chain, upper sprocket, tensioner, guides, etc. You wouldn't want to reuse any of that stuff after the chain skipped.

junqueyardjim · #74 11-01-2007, 11:19 AM

Sorry Craig, that it cost $2500.00 and a 3 week lay up of your car. But it ended pretty good, I think. If you still have the chain and cam gear, wouldn't mind seeing pictures of the parts. I was tempted to take the W123 to Edmonton and then back to Indy via Salt Lake and Denver this summer, but I worry about things like that happening. It can happen to the Lincoln also, but parts and service on the road are easier to obtain.

#75 11-01-2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

Sorry Craig, that it cost $2500.00 and a 3 week lay up of your car. But it ended pretty good, I think. If you still have the chain and cam gear, wouldn't mind seeing pictures of the parts. I was tempted to take the W123 to Edmonton and then back to Indy via Salt Lake and Denver this summer, but I worry about things like that happening. It can happen to the Lincoln also, but parts and service on the road are easier to obtain.

I didn't keep or take photos of the parts, but I did look at them. The chain had a broken link on one side with the other two links deformed, the upper sprocket had one chipped tooth and the valve cover has a crack over the chain area, that was the only visible damage other than the vacuum pump itself that had a big hole in the side.

I drive mine quite a bit (I'm going to toledo next week), stuff can always break. The best you can do is keep an eye on anything that seems to be degraded. I definitely wouldn't recommend driving around with a noisy vacuum pump.