Bruno ist Kaput! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LUVMBDiesels · #1 01-11-2008, 06:54 PM

My faithful 300SD just bit the big one today.
For the past six months or so the oil pressure needle would vibrate when I lifted off the accelerator. As the pressure NEVER went below 1.5 and always went right up to 3+ under load I did not think much of it.

Driving to the train today he started sounding like something was grinding almost like the alternator fan was hitting something or something was vibrating loose like an exhaust shield. I got to the station and the noise got really loud. I pulled into a parking lot and shut it off to check the fans and belts. Remember that the oil was always over 3 when running over 1200RPM and never dropped below 1.8 at idle. I checked the fan and the alternator and the belts and everything was OK. I started the engine and the noise was real bad and the oil pressure gauge was now bouncing in time with the noise. I was just turning the key off when "CLUNK" something broke and the engine just stopped.

I am not thinking it could be the timing chain as it was checked not three months ago by my indy. I would not trust myself for 'mission critical' things like chain tension.

Anyway I had him towed back to the house I am renting and I am now out of ideas. I don't want to go through another engine swap (the original one was in bad shape when I got Bruno and I replaced it with one with 1/2 the mileage) but he is still in good shape otherwise

Everything works Tach, Cruise control, Climate Control, Sunroof, windows, even the clock keeps accurate time. His body has seen better days with the usual rust over the rear wheel arch and the interior is not so hot either. I was gathering wood to replace is tortured veneer (PO tried to remove it by prying it from the front and ruined most of it) but he always rode well and has been a great trooper.

So I need your help...
Do I try to figure our what happened to this engine?
Do I get another junkyard special and swap it?
Do I put him up for sale as a donor car?
Do I get the chance to move up to a nice SDL?

Hmmm Maybe I should make this a poll...

Thanks for reading this as I needed to vent.