Sitting at a light I often feel a vibration that feels like the engine and or transmission working back and forth. Is this a sign that the motor mounts or transmission mount needs to be changed? I've been playing with my pressure washer and cleaning up the leaks. I would like to take care of this vibration too.

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

The engine mounts are fluid filled. If there is indication the oil has leaked out, replace the mount/s. Kinda difficult to describe in words but there are longitudinal channels cut into the bottom bowl shape of the mounts just above the crossmember. If there is less than 13mm vertically between these straight sections and the crossmember, the mount has collapsed beyond the point of serviceability. There is a special measurement tool that's easy to make. Simpler still, figure out which of your knuckles is closest to 13mm and slip it between the straight/longitudinal surface of the mount and the crossmember. If it goes through, the mount is fine, if not, replace the mount. The exhaust side mount tends to collapse before the intake side.

Sixto
87 300D

I usually grab my 13mm socket and then find which smaller one barely fits inside it and then use that as a gauge. It'll usually be your 10mm.

The mounts are 17mm when new and at 13mm, as Sixto said, are considered bad.

You can also lift the engine 1/4" with a floor jack and a rubber bushing between it and the engine and see if the vib gets better.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

When i got my 2.5 the drivers side mount was soaked with diesel fuel and completely collapsed,the fuel supply and return lines were weeping fuel and everything in that area was soaked in it.Be sure you get all the fuel leaks stopped before replacing the mounts so you dont have to do it twice.Simple job if you have some tools and a place to work and makes a huge difference in how the car feels.Beware of Chinese knock offs. Don

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Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles

Thanks. Those lines were leaking. The clamp was broken. A new clamp seemed to solve those problems but I will keep an eye on it and probably wrap the new mounts temporarily. I'll get some mounts and take care of it when I get through feeling sick. What is the recommended brand?

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Says "Mercedes" on a Blue and White box with a Three Pointed Star inside a
Laurel Wreath.

(This one's up-side down)

Attached Thumbnails

 

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

A temporary cure frequently is to speed your idle up by a very small amount (less than 50 RPM usually does. Haven't been worried enough about it to see if it's mounts or something else, but mine is like a massage chair at idle. If you literally just speed it up 20 or 30 rpm off that idle point to a new one (with the ELR) the vibration dampens and becomes a non-issue. Just a dynamic thing I guess. I haven't even left mine ELR'd up, I just let it rattle when I'm alone and keep a foot lightly on the accelerator at lights when somebody's riding with me and objects.

That said, replacing bad mounts is good practice even if there are work-arounds

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

Well I don't think Mercedes makes all their parts. Which is the preferred OEM manufacturer?

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Compress Ignite means to not mess with other suppliers. Get replacement mounts from the dealer.

Sixto
87 300D