Blew up engine! Need help/advice please.
 

:( My car is an 1984 240D with 198,000 miles on it. Over the past month it's been running a little noisy but I wasnt too worried because thats kind of the nature of these cars. So my wife and I are driving down the highway last night and it felt like we ran over something but we didnt. The engine died and wont start and there is oil splattered in the engine bay.....ughhh.
I think its probably the timing chain, does anyone have any ideas? Heres my other questions, anyone have a motor for sale? and do I have to put another 4 banger in there or can I upgrade to a big dog motor with maybe even a turbo? Thanks for all of your help and a I'm located in Southern Illinois..

Josh

There is no way to answer this question over the internet. The only way to determine what is wrong is exploratory surgery.

look under the injection pump for a hole in the lower block. sounds like you've thrown a rod, its rare but it happens.

Yes you can upgrade to the 5cyl/turbo motor. Its reccommended you have the entire donor car available to draw parts from during your swap so you don't forget anything.

I'll check that out when I get her towed home, it just really surprises me since these cars have such a great reputation and I was still under 200,000 miles.

josh

Sorry to hear about your car's demise. If you upgrade, make sure that you upgrade the front springs too as the 5cyl diesel is a bit heavier then the 4 cyl.

...but, it doesn't exempt them from using common sense and performing regular maintenance.

I'm sorry but I think a timing chain could break on anyone, and yes I performed all of the regular maintenance. Whatever the case, I have a dead car and I'm just looking for a little help from my fellow Benz owners.

I'm sure the "C S PRM " comment was not really directed AT you, as much as a general comment for the durability of these fine autos.
let us know what it was, when the autopsy is complete!
John

sorry about the car
 

I think RLeo was just saying that strange noises (or vibrations) can be signs of a problem, which overlooked, can be disasterous.

I know my 84 has been pretty good giving me hints: vibration coming up through the shifter was a failing flex disk, popping sound when turning was a bad tie rod, etc.

Sometimes a car doesn't tell you anything and a piece fails.

I hope it's not terminal - good luck and let us know what you find.

A failed oil cooler line could easily be the source of the oil. If the oil cooler line failed, it would quickly cause the engine to seize as the oil was pumped out. What was the oil pressure when this occurred? Does the engine turn at all? Are the oil cooler lines intact? Where in the engine compartment is the oil spattered?

Sorry to hear your old girl died! If you decide not to fool with a transplant/repair, let me know. I may have some interest in your car as a project (and am also in IL).

IIRC, the 240 does not have an oil cooler. I think they have an oil pressure guage, though, but I do not have a 240. That line could have cracked/snapped also.

Rods
 

Though they are quite durable, the car's maintenance history does have an effect, whether it be yours or a PO's before you ever saw the car. Also, from what I have gathered around the forum, (and from the first 240 I got) the #1 rod on the 616 seems prone to tossing, for as yet inexplicable reasons. My 80 was received by me with such issues, and my 82 has an odd noise when running, vin search says its the orig. engine, odo says over 300K (and PO says odo quit some time ago) so that engine will be thoroughly gone through before getting stuffed into my fintail. (the 82 is getting an upgrade).

If it has AC, it should have an oil cooler.

Not if it's a manual tranny.

- Peter.