Whats the best way to check for this? Would an exhaust leak be worse under load?

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

an exhaust leak will allways be worst under load the most pressure is made in the exhaust system when the engine is under load. i usually put the car on jackstands and start it then go under there and feel around you will definitly feel and hear it where its leaking.

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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.

I found the engine mounts in a 240D, if allowed to fail and left unattended, lets the engine rock enough to loosen the exhaust manifold, leading to a ticking noise as the engine vibrates. The ticking is increased in sound amplitude at load because the engine torque pulsations are higher and the engine motion is greater. If allowed to go unchecked the problem leads to fatigue failure of the exhaust bellows shaped tube to the EGR valve, and, in my case, the complete structural failure of the driver's side engine mount. At this point the starting evolution was visually startling. The engine would lift off the mount a few inches and slam back down with each compression stroke. In the end, this also mechanically destroyed the starter.

So, I would check the mounts if you haven't already. And, you might want to check the tightness of the fasteners at the manifold to head connection, and check the condition of the corrugated/bellows shaped tube between the EGR valve and the exhaust. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I got a thumping noise coming from the rear of the tranny on my wifes 1970 280s , it only happens when taking off then it stops once the car slips into 2nd.
Does this sound like a u joint?
Appreciate any help.

Tony

jkoebel,

I had a clicking sound one time in an '80 300SD. It turned out to be a bad CV joint in the rear axle. I think this is mentioned in the service manual.

P E H

I have a ticking sound as well that I can feel in the clutch. Vac pump is on the list of rebuilds. I hope its not oil pump or worse rod bearing. It goes away mostly when warm and switching to synthetic did wonders for it.

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42