I found these ball bearing reminants in my oil pick up screen in my 76 300d.

So im wondering where these came from and how screwed I am. Haha

I Still have the oil pan off. Their were no metal flakes in the oil or the oil pan. This was the only thing i found in the oil pick up screen.

I hope some one can help me diagnose this.

Thanks guys.

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1976 w115 300D

Vacuum pump?

Yea, the last few minutes i have been digging it is seeming that the vacuum pump may be the culprit. I did read it is very rare for a 617 engine to have a vacuum pump fail.

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1976 w115 300D

There are ten ball bearing recovered. It looks like that each bearing had 6. It appears that there is a chunk of a second one. If the vacuum pump is still creating vacuum can the bearings just be replaced?

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1976 w115 300D

If nothing is damaged i dont see why i cant get away with rebuilding the pump.

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1976 w115 300D

Your pump would be doing some serious clanging and banging if the bearings were currently failed.

There is most likely nothing wrong with your current pump. If those ball bearings were from it, you would know it. Those are from a previous failure. There should be 12 balls. Make sure the other 2 are not still in the pan. The missing 2 probably came out during an oil change. Eventually they would wear a hole through the pick-up screen and jam your oil pump to a stop instantly. Make sure your pick-up screen is still viable.

Why did you take your oil pan off?

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Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

Im thinking that exactly what happened to the other two ball bearings. The screen is fine and intact.

I took off the oil pan because 1) I am replacing the oil pan gasket due to some seepage. 2) I felt a mild inspection wouldn't hurt. 3) I was just dead curious.

I bought this car for a very good price not to long ago but the history of it is almost unknown.

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1976 w115 300D

If they are from a previous vacuum pump, the person who replaced the unit should have removed the oil pan to clean out the metal trash...

I agree.

Does the 603 have the same vacuum pump and timing device as my om617

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1976 w115 300D

That is a good thought.... I will pull the pump asap to examine it.

I know the vacuum pump creates enough vacuum to shut the car off and control the transmission(has a 722 trans).

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1976 w115 300D

Could you identify the certified gurus so we will all know when the wait is over?

IDK is the wait over yet???

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1976 w115 300D

I believe at least one "guru" has now given his advice !!

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

If you don't pull the pan, stick a magnet on it.

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Remember, Safety Third!
'99 E300 Turbodiesel, '82 300TD, 1996 12V Cummins Turbo, '94 Neoplan - Detroit 6V92TA