1987 W124 300TD, disintegrating fan / won't shift into reverse - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Corvo Gold · #1 03-01-2018, 10:14 PM

Had a bit of an adventure today ...

I was traveling at 75 MPH in my '87 300TD. After hearing a noise under from under the hood, the temperature gauge began to ascend. I pulled over and shut it down. Coolant was leaking out.

Turns out, four of the blades on the [plastic] engine fan broke off. Some of the shrapnel tore a hole in the radiator.

1) Any ideas why the fan disintegrated? Two of the four broken blades were consecutive, the other two were not. None of them were cleanly broken (i.e., they were all jagged), so no common crack so far as I can tell. The fan doesn't appear to be hitting anything either.

2) After the tow truck brought the wagon home, the car would not shift into reverse. I can't imagine this is a coincidence -- what should I be looking for? What else could the shrapnel have taken out?

This is a good time to upgrade the fan clutch, replace the crank seal, replace the timing chain, replace the oil pump chain ... it never ends!

Many thanks,
daniel

Diseasel300 · #2 03-01-2018, 11:02 PM

I think I'd check motor mounts...

jake12tech · #3 03-02-2018, 05:41 AM

oil pump chain not necessary.. timing chain doesn't need to be done unless it's stretched out of spec. also, upgrade the clutch fan and blade from the om606.

check the engine mounts.

The reverse issue, did it slip into reverse or have a delay prior to not going into reverse at all?

Maxbumpo · #4 03-02-2018, 08:51 AM

I've got one of the original aluminum fans in good shape, if you're interested.

Diseasel300 · #5 03-02-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake12tech

upgrade the clutch fan and blade from the om606.

It's worth pointing out to upgrade to the TURBO 606 fan and clutch. The N/A 606 has the same number and pitch blades as the 603 does. It's definitely a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you use the A/C.

dieselbenz1 · #6 03-02-2018, 10:43 AM

Did you check transmission fluid level? How was your car towed flat bed?

Corvo Gold · #7 03-02-2018, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the replies -- I really appreciate the insights.

1) Car was towed front end up, trans in neutral

2) I have not gone underneath the car to scrutinize up close, but the engine does not move much when I grab it and shake it.

3) I've already ordered a 606 fan and fan clutch

4) Honestly, there's no reason to do the timing chain except that I'll be in there already. Frankly I don't have to do it.

corvo gold
'87 300TD

jay_bob · #8 03-03-2018, 09:05 AM

Welcome to the board, I have one of these wagons too.

Definitely use the Turbo OM606 clutch and fan. These will definitely fit your engine and work much better than the original.

Fan = 606-200-01-23 (get the real MB one for this, avoid Trucktek, it’s made of Chinesium)
Clutch = 606-200-01-22 (Sachs ok for this one, it’s the actual manufacturer of the part, 1/4 the price of the genuine MB)

I would focus on the root cause of why you lost your fan.

Did your water pump bearings fail?
Belt tensioner fail?

I would be replacing water pump and belt tensioner, shock, and spring if it was me. Don’t forget the dust covers on the tensioner pivot points, these are critical.

Bonus points, while you have it all apart, go to the junk yard and find a 90-up gas powered 124. Get the alternator, the wiring harness, and the terminal block by the battery and replace yours. Nice upgrade from 55 A to 90-120 A depending on the year of the donor. The alternator on these were seriously undersized.

If you want to make sure your chain is good, order up a valve cover gasket, pull the valve cover, and do the chain stretch check.

Corvo Gold · #9 03-04-2018, 08:58 PM

Today I removed the radiator, fan, fan clutch, water pump, crank bolt and pulley. The engine clearly has a leak from the crank seal.

1) Is there any reason at all why I would have to buy a new crank hub?

2) There's no clear reason why the fan self-destructed. The fan clutch bearing seems to be a little stiff, but it did turn. It's a Meyle, so I'm pretty sure it was replaced at some point. Also, judging by the gasket sealer I removed, I'm pretty sure the water pump was also replaced at some point.

3) Any thoughts regarding why my transmission isn't going into reverse? I neglected to check the fluid level, although I changed the fluid and filter back in November.

If nothing else, I'm enjoying getting to know a new-to-me car, although all of this was completely unexpected!

Many thanks,

corvo gold
1987 300 TD

Shortsguy1 · #10 03-04-2018, 10:11 PM

This may be a red herring regarding your lack of reverse, but you mentioned it was towed with the rear wheels on the ground. I recall reading that our cars need to be towed on a flat bed to avoid transmission damage (even when in neutral). Perhaps that caused transmission damage (but I am not speaking from experience). Hopefully someone will weigh in on the specific type of damage that can occur from towing with rear wheels on the ground.

vstech · #11 03-05-2018, 02:18 AM

the wrong fan blade WILL contact the radiator at high speeds...

be certain you get the TURBO 606 blade NOT THE TURBO 602... the 602 blade appears the same, and will fit, and have clearance to the radiator... but under load at high speed, the blades flex about 10mm towards the radiator. if you only have 10mm clearance.. BOOM BTDT...

also, if you have pulled into a parking space with a high curb, and contacted the radiator support tubing, the bottom of the radiator can tilt towards the fan... also not good...

tjts1 · #12 03-05-2018, 03:28 AM

Yet another reason to switch to all electric cooling fans.

jake12tech · #13 03-05-2018, 07:45 AM

Yeah well if it was towed on a wheel lift without the car running and no fluid circulation, you definitely did some damage to the front pump if the driveshaft wasn't disconnected at the front flex disc.

Also, you neglected to answer the question did the transmission have a delay into reverse instead of an immediate engament prior to not engaging reverse at all. So who knows what your trans issue is.

Corvo Gold · #14 03-05-2018, 08:36 AM

No delay: the trans simply does not go into reverse when I shift it. I tried a couple of times, but no dice.

I did some research last night: I had no idea these cars couldn't be towed in neutral with the wheels on the ground. That sound you heard when you went to bed was me repeatedly slamming my head against the wall, bemoaning my complete ignorance.

Unless someone has a better idea, I'm assuming now my transmission has to come out. Although my time is at a premium (I'm being worked into an early grave and in June my cruel master sends me to North Carolina), I do have most of a 5 speed conversion on hand. The only parts I think I'm missing are a flywheel, a clutch kit, and a proper driveshaft. I wasn't planning on installing it now but this could force the issue.

Oy gevalt.

corvo gold
1987 300TD

jake12tech · #15 03-05-2018, 08:59 AM

I wonder how your linkages look? If somehow something got bent? If it propels itself thru the gears ok the pump may be ok. But something else could have easily got messed up.

When front pumps go, the car will shift ok until it's warm and then they just don't want to shift at all usually. it's an intermittent issue in the beginning.

The wheel lift guy was a moron dude. he should have known better. get some money out of them idiots thr3aten to sue.