w124 distributor cap removal

[89-300ce]

Yesterday I wanted to take a look at the condition of the cap and rotor but although I freed the cap I didn't have enough clearance to the fan to remove it. Do I have to remove the fan? How is the fan attached?

Thank you
Jorg

[Mike Murrell]

I suppose there are some magicians who've done this w/o pulling the fan.

I'm not one of them.

Pull the fan.

You'll need an 8mm allen head to remove the bolt securing the fan clutch; you'll also need to suppress movement of the upper pulley in order to loosen the 8mm allen head. A 19mm bolt that secures the belt tensioning @ the tensioner must be loosened and a 13mm nut up above the tnesioner must be loosened to provide belt slack.

There's a special tool from Stahlwille(8mm) and a special ft. long rod to lock the pulley. Others have done it with stuff laying around the garage.

I believe you'll also need a good 5mm allen head for the dist. cap screws and a REAL good 3mm allen head for the rotor screws. I would spray a little PB Blaster or equivalent on the rotor screws B4 removing. Let it soak awhile. You really don't want these to break off and as small as they are, it could happen.

[A264172]

But I think it's much easier to take off the three (6mm) allen bolts that hold the fan to the clutch. No need to counter hold the pulley as these bolts are under a lot less torque. Just hold the fan while you break em loose.
Either way you'll have to unclip the fan shroud and move it over the fan to get access to the bolts.

[Mike Murrell]

Marty:

Good tip - I might try that next time. In the past, I've used the strategy outlined in the 103 eng. manual.

[89-300ce]

Thanks, the three alan bolts sounds easy enough. I just couldn't see them when I looked last night.

Jorg

[schumi]

Huh, I know I changed dist. cap and rotor w/o removing the fan on my '87 300E. I can't remember how I did it, but I know I didn't remove the fan.

[DB87300E]

Spin your fan and you will notice that the gap between two of the blades is much larger than the rest. This should provide enough room to remove your cap.

Let me know if it works out, as in changing my cap I did not remove the fan. Removing the fan clutch/pulley would probably mean releasing the belt tensioner which can become a nightmare if yours is getting up in years.

[A264172]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

Marty:

Good tip - I might try that next time....

Thanks - I stumbled over it when I replaced my FC bearing bracket before putting on the new cap... I had just finished putting everything on when I realized it... and they seemed the easier to do.

Originally Posted by 89-300ce

Thanks, the three alan bolts sounds easy enough. I just couldn't see them when I looked last night.

Jorg

Once you get the shroud pushed over the fan it should be pretty straight forward... the conventional type bent alan wrenches seem to fit in there well but an alan on a socket wrench seems to run into the radiator...

[r_p_ryan]

There's a picture and explanation in this DIY:
http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/M103TimingCoverReseal

[1991300SEL]

Excellent work Mr. Ryan.

Has your first born arrived yet?

Regards.

[lino]

I had my mechanic replace my distributor cap and rotor the day I installed my new tranny and he did it rather quickly and didn't remove the fan. He changed them so quick that I didn't even notice that he did until I saw the old parts sitting on the work bench. The only thing that took time was putting the plastic wire holder back in place since mine is broken and held together with tie wraps .

[r_p_ryan]

Originally Posted by 1991300SEL

Excellent work Mr. Ryan.

Has your first born arrived yet?

Regards.

34 days to go!

Thanks for asking

-Robert

[Mike Murrell]

Originally Posted by r_p_ryan

34 days to go!

Thanks for asking

-Robert

Robert:

Sounds like your child might be born on the 4th of July.

[r_p_ryan]

quite possibly. The 3rd is the ETA, but only 5% of babies are born on the ETA, and first's generally come a little late, so the 4th is pretty likely...

[89-300ce]

Just finished checking my cap and rotor. All good. Pulling the fan was definately the way to go. I can't see how I could have pulled the cap off otherwise. Perhaps there are different size distributor caps.

Thanks all

Jorg