1992 300D 2.5 vacuum pump "FAILURE" ball bearings fell into timing chain
 

This owner put off replacing the vacuum pump FOUR years.
The timing chain is intact but damaged, and must be replaced.


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ak_vtixw_2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ak_vtixw_1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...e_vtixw_13.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...e_vtixw_14.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...re_vtixw_6.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...re_vtixw_2.jpg

There are more pictures here.
1992 300D vacuum pump failure pictures by whunter - Photobucket

.

How many miles were on it?

And, was there Noise that was ignored by the Driver before the failure?

is this the one we were talking about on the phone? looks like I called that one...

Yep
 

The exact one.

.

Based on the photos this looks like the old style of pump / bearing. Is that true?

Looks like it. Glad I upgraded my pump.

Yes
 

He was warned it was the early version, and could take out the timing chain.

.

Makes me all the more reassured that my preventative replacement on my 601 was worthwhile. :eek: Old pump looked fine, but I don't like the looks of the exposed bearings. Just an accident waiting to happen.

In the second picture, if that's the vacuum pump under the radiator hose, it looks like it has screws holding down the cover. It might be one of those oddball mid-series pumps with an open bearing but screws holding down the cover. There was a listing of such a beast on eBay a few years ago. For the cost of a gasket and an hour's work, check to be sure!

Sixto
87 300D

How did the IP timer take it?

Sixto
87 300D

Well according to service records it sounded like my 300D had vacuum issues for about 50,000 miles before I got it.

I pulled my vacuum pump to replace my injection pump and realized my open bearings were a little lonely. Opened up my oil drain plug, got a big magnet drug it around the bottom of the oil pan and...

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...14C32B78F3.jpg

I put in an updated pump around 180,000 miles, but I think the old pump fell apart around 130-140k.

What was the date code on the failed pump? (See photo below for secret decoder ring). Also, as Sixto mentioned, did the pump have the Torx screws on the front?

:pinch:

http://www.w124performance.com/image.../vac_pump8.jpg

Answer
 

No damage.

There are more pictures here.
1992 300D vacuum pump failure pictures by whunter - Photobucket



.

Wow! So you were driving around with all those little balls in the oil pan for over 50 k!!:eek: Nothing happened? No big bang, rattle or something?