What to do with this beast - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jcyuhn · #16 08-12-2008, 10:35 AM

The mechanical problems sound about normal for a car of this age and mileage. From your description, the cosmetics sound far, far above average.

There is an easy way to bypass the RPM sensor circuit on the a/c. Do a search for "ice cube relay" here and you'll stumble upon some threads that discuss it. Not a big fan of this mod, myself.

I would not recommend power washing the engine, the electrical connectors can get rather unhappy. Instead suggest using deagreaser and a hose to rinse.

I don't think we are going to be successful at diagnosing engine noise across the 'net. The om603 definately has some diesel clatter at idle, but it should not be offensive. For example, it should be only fractionally as loud as the v8 diesels used in Ford & Chevy pickups. Best to have someone that is familiar with these listen and render an opinion.

Best of luck. If you choose to get rid of it, I'm sure it will sell instantly for a good price, given the current mania for veggy cars.

- JimY

theref · #17 08-12-2008, 03:21 PM

Have you checked to see if the sound suppression panel is still in place? It is the underengine cover panel that must be removed to drain the oil, for example. It is sometimes removed permanently by unknowing mechanics-like the guys that did the radiator changeout.

This will not impact what you hear with the hood open and the engine running but if what you describe as "noisy" occurs when you start or drive the car, it could be a missing panel.

Mister Byrnzoil · #18 08-12-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theref

Have you checked to see if the sound suppression panel is still in place?

Ditto, is the hood pad in good condition?

I'm thinking there might be an intake or exhaust leak? Is the air filter present and properly seated? Is the air filter housing intact?

I would run the synthetic oil in this engine.

Hatterasguy · #19 08-12-2008, 06:58 PM

Try some synthetic oil, that should help the lifters.

If your used to pick up trucks you won't like Mercedes or any high end European car for that matter. They are very maintenance intensive, and parts are not cheap. But they are like airplanes and will go just about forever if you keep on top of them.

Oracle12345 · #20 08-12-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackG

At the risk of ticking you off, here is my .02

1) There is nothing inexpensive about a cheap car.
It has been said here many time before, The most
expensive Benz is a cheap one.

2) There will always be Maint. on an older car.
If you don't do it yourself, this will be a VERY
expensive car.

3) If you do not have a love for these cars, if
that clackity clack is not music to your ears, you
bought the wrong car.

4) if you bought the wrong car, sell it and move on, there
is someone out there who will love to have it and see that
it is taken care of properly.

5) Chances are very good you will NOT recover all you have put into
it, Lick your wounds and move on. If you want a value, check
on Ebay to see what the reals sales are getting.
Don't forget to look through the completed auctions and
ignore those cars that are "selling" for big bucks but seem to be back on
every other week........just shill bidding

Good post, summed it up pretty well. Mercedes are hard and EXPENSIVE TO KEEP UP.

But to your engine noise maybe a head rebuild is in store. I saw you were leakin oil and low oil level will cause the tappets to make that noise. Changing the oil type wont fix your problem however.

DieselClack · #21 08-12-2008, 09:39 PM

Bottom line here is that for most of us, we love our Classic Benz's and wouldn't consider anything else!

If you don't feel this way about this car then I would consider selling it to someone who would because any Mercedes Benz is going to be expensive even if your doing the work yourself.

There is some truth to the rumour that Mercedes Benz doesn't care what year it is, whether that be a 2008 E320D or a 1983 300D or a 1964 190D fintail. They will want $300 just to look at it and if this is not to your liking then you should probably choose another car!

I have 7 Classic Mercedes Benz's and I cannot think of anything that has run longer and been more worth it than all of these, but there not for everyone. It takes a certain type to want to own and drive a Classic Mercedes, especially when it can mean spending $6000.00 on a Remanufactured engine for one, but at 298,282 miles on my W123 1983 300D, I'll do it without hesitation.

Part of the reason Mercedes Benz can be so costly is because these are not just throw away cars when it needs something major like ricers and I've never seen an old Toyadaihatsubishikiamazdassanhuyundiazukihondamaha that has ever lived up to the quality of a Mercedes Benz.

But....... there are a lot of people out there who will get rid of it when it needs new suspension bushings, flex discs, brakes, wheel alignment, valve adjustment, fuel filters, new coolant, new transmission mounts and engine mounts and maybe a radiator and says "WHAT DO YOU MEAN $5257.26!!!!!!!!!!!!

And we end up with these ourselves because someone had a fire sale! And can do the work ourselves for 1/4th the cost!

But you have to understand Mercedes Benz owners, if it were possible to be in love with a car, these would be the ones and most will not pose for pictures with anything else!

Hatterasguy · #22 08-12-2008, 10:01 PM

Well at least with a Mercedes I can go to the dealer and get any part I can every think of needing for my 20 year old car. Heck I can do that with a 50 year old car. Try that at Ford, after 10 years you are SOL.

On the flip side their is no aftermarket for MB, Ford doesn't have that problem.

sublettm · #23 08-12-2008, 10:27 PM

I felt the need to chime in here. I just parted with my '87 300D about four months ago. I was never truly happy with the car and got tired of constantly chasing down problems. The 124 has far more room for problems than the 123, but the handling and acceleration of the 124 is far superior. Given that I owned both a 123 and 124 at the same time, the 124 sounded quiet compared to the 124, althought my 124 did appear to be a little noisy.

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about the #14 head. My car had about 230k miles on the #14 head and I never had a problem with that part of the car. The head in mine probably would have outlasted the rest of the car.

The biggest problem I had was the suspension and the evaporator. Yes, both parts were 20+ years old, and parts do go bad over time. Both of these projects involved serious time to repair...expense wasn't too bad.

The nail in the coffin for mine was when it started hemoraghing oil from the front seal. My crank bolt came loose at one point in time and the nose of the crank was damaged. My mechanic told me the seal might make it a month, or several years...it made it about two years. There really was no fixing this problem and I was NOT going to put a new engine in a car I did not love.

To sum it all up, if you really do not like the car, and are not willing to devote some amount of time or money to the car, it is best to cut your losses now. As mentioned above, the repairs on a 124 can start adding up pretty quick and there are far more things to go wrong than on a 123.

Mike

ultralight · #24 08-13-2008, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Have you checked to see if the sound suppression panel is still in place?

I can see the whole bottom of the engine so I don't think I have the panel you describe. I replaced the radiator myself and the only thing that I didn't put back was the fan shroud. It was broken so I used an ABS repair compound to fix it but have never gotten around to putting it back. I would say that the dealer took off the sound panel because of the oil leak, thinking that the lady would have the repair done when it got bad enough.

Quote:

My crank bolt came loose at one point in time and the nose of the crank was damaged.

Too bad you couldn't use a shaft seal repair I get them from McMaster.com. Part number 5187T13 is the last one I used.
I have worked on a LOT of cars and have joined a LOT of discussion groups in the process and MB owners are without a doubt the most enthusiastic group of owners that I have ever witnessed. You people truly do love your cars. If you noticed, when it came down to where I had to buy a car I chose the Benz. That's saying a lot coming from a hardcore American-Iron truck guy. In my profession I encounter a lot of German equipment and it is usually the most well-thought-out, although at the expense of over-complication.

DieselClack · #25 08-13-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultralight

I can see the whole bottom of the engine so I don't think I have the panel you describe. I replaced the radiator myself and the only thing that I didn't put back was the fan shroud. It was broken so I used an ABS repair compound to fix it but have never gotten around to putting it back. I would say that the dealer took off the sound panel because of the oil leak, thinking that the lady would have the repair done when it got bad enough.

Too bad you couldn't use a shaft seal repair I get them from McMaster.com. Part number 5187T13 is the last one I used.
I have worked on a LOT of cars and have joined a LOT of discussion groups in the process and MB owners are without a doubt the most enthusiastic group of owners that I have ever witnessed. You people truly do love your cars. If you noticed, when it came down to where I had to buy a car I chose the Benz. That's saying a lot coming from a hardcore American-Iron truck guy. In my profession I encounter a lot of German equipment and it is usually the most well-thought-out, although at the expense of over-complication.

Yeah, these can be overly complicated! I have been wanting an "S" Class diesel for awhile, but that little nagging ? in the back of my mind keeps popping up.

There are some that come here and don't think of themselves as classic Benz lovers until they've been here awhile and then their hooked!

So far all my cars are W123's and one W107 SL that I'm going to convert into a diesel with a 5 cyl. 617 Turbo! Since I burn Biodiesel from my local bakery and doughnut shops, this may be hard on the diet!