Camshaft broke, I think i'm screwed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

FutonMonkey · #1 05-27-2008, 08:04 PM

After final getting my engine back together and installing veg system in my 83 300d. I put about 250miles on it and today while in NYC i was sitting at a light and the brake pedal went hard. pulled over checked the vacuum to the master cyclinder, there was little to no vacuum and car wont turn off. So i had no vacuum and hard breaks, but seemed to be shifting fine, which was odd. I thought if there was little to no vacuum the trans would shift through the gear quickly, but seemed fine. got over the GW and on to the parkway, still no major problems. went another 3-5 miles heard a gut renching sound of metal snaping and the engine died, luckly i rolled right into a lookout point, instead of being on the side f the road. checked under the hood nothing looked out of pace, just for the hel of it, i looked in the oil cap. to my suprise i see my camshaft split in two right before #2 cyclinder.

So what do i do now, go through the trouble of ripping the engine apart an try to fix it, to find out the valves and pistons are shot. Drop a new engine in there (any got one in the southern ny area) or just junk it.

pawoSD · #2 05-27-2008, 09:14 PM

That likely caused lots of damage.....I think you'll be needing a new motor. Anyways....thats a pretty odd and random failure, something had to cause it....

turbobenz · #3 05-27-2008, 09:15 PM

whats the overall condition of the car

FutonMonkey · #4 05-27-2008, 09:20 PM

Its in good condition, little rust, floor pans are perfect, i just replaced the driverside trailing arm.

vstech · #5 05-27-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FutonMonkey

After final getting my engine back together and installing veg system in my 83 300d.

what did you have to take apart on the motor prior to veg install?

Quote:

the brake pedal went hard. pulled over checked the vacuum to the master cyclinder, there was little to no vacuum and car wont turn off.

um, lack of vacuum could indicate vacuum pump failure... not sure what could have siezed the cam to cause the break but inspect your timing chain to see if the gears got jammed causing the chain to break and the piston contact with the valves could have pushed the cam enough to break it... unlikely but possible.
please at least pull the VP and the VC and look around in there... very odd.

FutonMonkey · #6 05-27-2008, 10:29 PM

I replaced the timing chain prior th veg install. i dont think it was the that though. before i left the city the powr brakes failed and the engine shut off valve. when i pulled off the vacuum line going to the master cylinder and put my thumb over it little to no vacuum, so i think the vacuum pump failed and then broke apart after a few miles making the timing chain jump. when i get it home tomorrow i'm going to pull the valve cover and vacuum pump. i'll post pics.

t walgamuth · #7 05-27-2008, 10:34 PM

Vac pump takes a dump, dropping parts into the cam chain, locking it up and breaking it. Piston hits stationary valve, driving it up, breaking cam and cam towers.

It happened to me on my 82 300td. Ouch!

Tom W

vstech · #8 05-27-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Vac pump takes a dump, dropping parts into the cam chain, locking it up and breaking it. Piston hits stationary valve, driving it up, breaking cam and cam towers.

It happened to me on my 82 300td. Ouch!

Tom W

hmm, that is the only scenario I can come up with. I've never seen it, it just made the most sense.

lesson for all us out there. if the vacuum system quits or makes noise FIX IT NOW!!! don't wait.

Palangi · #9 05-27-2008, 10:53 PM

Yeppers, You're screwed......

Hatterasguy · #10 05-27-2008, 11:29 PM

Sounds like the vac pump took a dump and caused the chain to skip. If you feel like messing around with it yank the head and see if the bottom end is usable. But more likely than not the engine is toast.

FutonMonkey · #11 06-06-2008, 04:05 PM

I finaly got the engine apart. the pistons looks ok, so i'm going to replace the head and hope for the best.

Check out some of the pics photo album

theo3000 · #12 06-06-2008, 04:10 PM

I think you're lucky! That LCA was an accident waiting to happen.

It's a good thing the camshaft broke first, but it is a strange failure.

jt20 · #13 06-06-2008, 04:16 PM

I would have expected more interference on a failure like that. Is there any indication of this that isn't noticeable in the pics?

FutonMonkey · #14 06-06-2008, 04:19 PM

looking at the intake manifold and intake ports on the head, there is a thick coat of black residue. Does that mean i have an oil leak in the turbo? what could it be from? it cant be good sucking crap in through the air intake.
also if you look at the pic of the head at cylinder 3 the little dome piece (injector port??) its completely messed up and cylinder 3 is in worst condition then other cylinders. what is that piece and what would cause it to blow apart? i dont think it happened when i blew the camshaft, the amount of residue would suggest that its been broken for a while.

jt20 · #15 06-06-2008, 04:23 PM

that is the end of your prechamber.. they break and destroy the piston and cylinder wall after the pieces of metal are left to bounce around after breaking.