Hi all,
I got a 97 E300, and just wondering this “problem” is normal or not.
When I first started the car, the engine give a rattling feel at idle. And the rattling got worse when I shift to reverse, but it’ll slow down or goes away when I shift to D. This problem happened only when I first started the car, but if I driving about 10-20 minutes when the engine warm up. The problem seems rarely happened.
I think that diesel engine needs to be warm up before you drive. Am I wrong? How long do you normally warm your car up before you start to drive?
Thank you for any feedback,
Best regards,
Tim

Might try some B20 Biodiesel to see if that quiets things down or may help to isolate your concern.

Possible injector problem?
How many miles on it?
Service History?
Proper oil?

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raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

Could be the belt tensioner shock bushing...very common rattle source for these engines....they only last about 30K miles from my experience.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I would also look at the serpintine belt tensioner (spring), damper (shock) and pivot lever assembly. A strong flashlight will help you see if the pivot lever is vibrating excessively.

I have a nasty vibration at teh pivot assembly that doesnt go away until the engine gets hot, or RPM's rise above 1000.

Have replaced the belt, pivot lever, 2 tensioners, and burned up 3 dampers on my 99.

If anyone resolves this vibration I'd love to hear about it.

NHDOC - In your post are you referring to the center eye bushing at the lower end of the damper shock or the nylon bushings at top and bottom of the tensioner spring?

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

If I recall correctly it was the top bushing on the tensioner shock (also called the dampner) which develops some play and which caused the same rattle you have described. It was loudest when the engine was cold, and it was cold out too. Almost sounded like it was coming from inside the valve cover until you listened really closely. I replaced mine about 6 months ago and noticed in the service records that this is the 3rd replacement the car has had...one about every 2 years. It seems that the rubber bushing hardens and shrinks enough to clatter around until thing warm up and either the resonant frquency changes or the bushing expands sufficiently to fill the gap and quiet down. I actually don't think it would hurt anything to leave it alone but I hate noises like that so I replaced it and now all is (relatively) quiet again.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Sounds like you've replaced everything except the tensioner pulley(roller).

Have you removed it to check its bearing or whether it's distorted/warped? I wonder if it could be out of balance?

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2005 Pathfinder LE
2001 E55
1998 M3
1982 320i

I did check the roller when I put in the new pivot lever (had to swap it over). The roller has sealed bearings, spins freely and was very smooth and balanced. When speaking to "Phil" on that parts buying frenzy, he claimed it was not a common sale item so I elevted not to purchase it.

The pivot lever, by the way, was bad in my mind although there was no evidence to suggest that prior to removal. It has a soft metal sleeve/insert that tightly rides on the hardened pivot pin. The old sleeve was dry and worn. Unknown if from years/miles of service or if occured rapidly when vibration began.

By the way, one thing I learned from the dealer when researching serpentine belts is to have your VIN handy. There are 4 or 5 different belt lengths used which are based on the chassis range ###.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

It'll be interesting so see if your problem recurs. I hope it doesn't.

The EPC only shows TWO sizes of serpentine belts, one for A/C equipped vehicles and one for those without. I wonder what the dealer was looking at?

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2005 Pathfinder LE
2001 E55
1998 M3
1982 320i

Ah...the problem is one I live with at least twice a day unfortunately.

My local dealer parts counter guy mumbles a lot and is also secretive about part numbers. Perhaps he was referring to Aux fan belts in additon to serpentine.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

How was the clearance between the pivot PIN and pivot lever? Was the pin worn?

This would drive me nuts if it were my car!

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2005 Pathfinder LE
2001 E55
1998 M3
1982 320i

The pin is hard steel or stainless. The lever sleeve that rides on it is a softer metal that is the wear surface. The new sleeve provided a snug fit. The pin was cleaned with a green scrub pad to remove any debris but not metal before being reinstalled.

MBDOC once said W210's occasionally had problems with bearing drag from a belt driven pulley that would cause vibration at the pivot lever. Have been trying to rule that out, as well as motor/transmission mounts, exhaust manifold and hangers or anything else that might cause a vibration tht might show up at the tensioner.

So far those items look and feel OK.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)