05/10/06 - added pic
Hello everyone!

I have some questions here, I’ll try to keep it short:

I’m looking at a 190d 1984 with 160k miles. No rust at all, and the car is in Michigan (claimed to be a florida car but it is very clean).
All items in the interior work…door locks, windows, sunroof, heat, a/c (unfortunately converted to 134a). No smoke when driving or hard acceleration.

The car started right up on the first glow cycle however it was about 60*F outside too.

Now for the questions:

1) When at idle, completely stopped and the trans is placed into “D” the engine shakes very hard back and forth. This does not happen in N or R. –Could this be the motor mounts? The owner has a quote (I have a copy) of the motor mounts needed to be replaced…I guess he brought it into the dealer to diagnose this problem. Are these tough to swap out?

2) When driving the shifts where very quick and sharp. I would almost say harsh, but there was no flare or slippage. Is this normal? Or should I be chasing down a possible vacuum leak? It did not preshift any gear or have any problems shifting 1-4 when on a long sprint. Just a very quick and somewhat harsh shift.

3) After the drive I noticed a touch of coolant under the drivers side / intake side of the head…directly under the intake on the block. I was looking for oil leaks and could see the coolant. Now on the dealer list, there is a part listed ‘coolant tube on back of head’ 6011410880 and the gasket to go along. Is this something that can be replaced easily? There was no coolant in the oil..or oil in coolant so I am not leaning towards a head gasket warpage.

Owner also mention that MB dealer said that there is a coolant related part that 'preheats' the fuel and this may need replacement as well--does this have anything to do with the tube mentioned above?

4) Also, what is a ‘flex disc’ the dealer put this on the quote. Is it referring to the transmission? I’m familiar with a flex plate similar to a flywheel on a manual car….any help here appreciated.

5) The cruise does not work. Is this something that usually goes bad and can be fixes?

Overall, the guy is asking $2500 very firm. I have a feeling it is going to swallow another $1000.00 very quickly. The only convenience with this car is that it is a mere 10 miles from my house. I am now debating whether or not to offer the guy 2000. I’m mechanically inclined. But do not want to invest in a pit. The service has been kept up on the car based on everything I have seen.

I really like the size of this car. Speed is definitely desired when riding in this car too…only took 2 minutes to get to 70mph heh.

Sorry this was so long….any help greatly appreciated. Feel free to email me responses too.

Thanks,
-Mike

Attached Thumbnails

 

BUMP

Answers:

1) Motor Engine Mounts (one side is loaded when gear is placed into D)

2) Help please

3) Help Please

4) Found service manuals to replace flex disc

5) Will check fuse box

Any comments on price? Car has zero rust. It is as clean as it is slow

Thanks,
-Mike

yes, the motor mounts will cause violent vibrations as the metal arm contacts the subframe. and yes it will vary depending on whether it is under load, etc.

the harsh shifting may well indicate a vac leak. mbs are firm shifting but should not be harsh.

the leak may be just the gasket and tube. i dont think the fuel preheater is a normal type problem. i have never heard of one leaking, though they could.

the flex plate is i think the rubber donut on the driveshaft, and if you are mechaincal at all it is not too hard to change.


cruise not working is pretty normal. the electronic control box (an aluminum thingie sort of the size and shape of a box that a fancy ball point might come in at christmas time on a 123 at least) is usually the first thing that fails in my experience with mostly 123s and 126s. your car is prob similar.

your thinking on the price doesnt seem bad, but these cars are fairly rare and it will sell if you dont buy it.

and finally a compression test and look over by a mb diesel familiar mechanic will be a good investiment.

they are nice cars. good luck.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Tom,
Thanks for the quick reply! Much appreciated.

I'm decently handy, i've swapped a head gasket on my miata and installed a turbo system so I think I could tackle motor mounts and the flex disc (especially with the service manual, instructions are way better than winging it.) Pics of my miata are here, if interested

http://www.miatapix.net/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=60&pos=3

I've wanted an MB so many times, and this time with it close to home i'm hoping I can get my hands on this 190d. I will definitely have to drive it again just to make sure I can handle (or tolerate) the speed (or lack there of).

What kind of job is the fuel preheater? Is this the coolant tube at the back of the head (are they the same thing?) I'm guessing there is plenty of room to work if I have to swap out the gasket (and tube if need be) please adivse.

I was going to pull the air cleaner to get a better look. I didn't want to start dismantling a car I didn't plan on buying....

I may have the dealer do a compression test if I can find an independant. Maybe I can track down WHunter.

Thanks,
-Mike

It's a fair price for a car as you describe, but IMHO it not a screaming bargain.

I'm not intimately familiar with the 190D 2.2 but the transmission harshness is most likely a vacuum control problem. The cruise control rarely works for more than 10 years, usual cause is the cruise control amplifier ($200-300) but other things can break as well. Check the brake light bulbs - if the bulbs are burned out the cruise will not work. The coolant leak could be anything - the fuel is heated by engine coolant but coolant leaks from that system are not common. Water pump or hoses are more likely causes for coolant leaks.

If the thought of dropping a $1000 to perform repairs on this car makes you feel a bit queasy I think you had better reconsider the whole deal - your candidate car is 22 years old. Old cars break and if you have to pay somebody to do the diagnosis and repair work $1000 is a pretty easy figure to exceed even on seemingly modest repair jobs.

On the plus side if you can put up with the slow acceleration I'd expect you could get 40+ MPG on the highway from your car. Zero rust is a big plus - most W201's north of the mason-dixon line have rust issues at this age.

I had an 86 190D with a 5 speed transmission that would deliver 42-44 MPG on the highway. Many people don't like the W201 body style but I'd buy one again in a second. Good luck.

The coolant tube at the back of the head is actually dealer diagnosed. I have the paper in front of me dated April 25th too...on the quote the dealer mentioned the flex disc and the motor mounts so it seems everything is lining up.

I definitely was expecting around $1000.00 in repairs. But felt that the body of the car was worth it. I particularly like the 190d / 201 body style :-)

I drive about 100 miles daily. I was hoping this car could at least get me 35mpg on the highway. I just hope I won't be run over by semis or crazy speed demons.

-Mike

it isnt that slow.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

My wife had a 190D 2.2 for a few years and in my opinion, the sheet metal was a bit tinny, at least compared to the W123s. It was quicker than my 240D that I had at that time, but much slower than the 300D turbo that I got while she had the 190D.

I agree that it isn't bad at that price, but it isn't a steal either.

Wes

I'm picking her up for $2000.00 tomorrow. Now that is a good[enough] price!

I'm going to hit the engine mounts and flex disc right away.

More updates to come after I further diagnose the leak. I'm taking a WAG that it is a hose.

But,..the dealer quoted 'coolant tube behind head' and 'gasket'...is there a metal tube of some kind on the back of the head..something that requires a gasket?

Thanks for the comments guys.

-Mike

good luck with it.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I've ordered a decent amount of parts from phil...and well have solved most of my problems.

Engine mounts cleared up the terrible shaking when the tranny was engaged in 'D'...I also did the tranny mount. Flex disc(s) and center support and bearing all look and function great.

I picked up the fuel preheater o-ring at the dealer, replaced that (after pulling fuel lines and the intake!) with relative ease...and no leaks now (so far).

I changed out my return lines...of course put on a new intake manifold gasket..and really it's time to bust out some maintenance...all filters...and fluids...and time to track down that vacuum leak.

2 things left...the harsh shifting and the fact my car will not shut off (ONLY WHEN COLD?) when I turn the key to off....if the car is warmed up it will shut off no questions asked.

I have been able to rev the car and then when the rpms are dropping as i've released the pedal quickly turn the key to off and the car will turn off....hmm I'm thinking leak or shut off valve...testing to come soon enough.

-Mike

i know this is an old thread, but your car not shutting off is referred to as a "runaway diesel". My 84 190d 2.2 had the same thing. The ghetto fix was to find the appropriate vac tube (cant remember which one it was, it was several years ago) and run it into the cabin. To turn the car off, you would have to turn the ignition off and suck on the tube hahaha

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1993 2.6 (040) - deceased/reincarnated as a trailer.
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