300se busted oil pan, please help
 

Hit a pothole and busted the oil pan on my 1989 300SE. Is it a hard job replacing it, and how long does it take? Also, is there enough for it to slide out or do I have to remove draglink? Please let me know.

Thanks,

Al

Wow - that must have been some pothole. Was anything with the suspension/steering damaged as well?

Was it is city street you was on when you hit the hole? Seems like they may be liable for repairs if it was. I know someone that hit a large pothole and caused damage and the city where they live had to pay.

no, it was in a parking lot. It was raining and full of water. Only damaged the pan, everything else is okay.

Thats really gloomy news. I know all about that- we have had some parking lots here in the past that were terrible. Mainly the parking lot where I worked. When they are full of water- especially at dark- you cannot see them. After customer/employee complaints (some were rather rude) the parking lot was completely resurfaced/paved and what an improvement indeed! Now, there is one huge pothole I know of on a busy street in the downtown area that is very deep. I know where it is, so I always dodge it, but many coming through the 4-lane there does not realize it is there, as a lot of "out of towners" heading toward the freeway use that road- as it leads right onto the freeway - they never even see it until it is too late. I estimate that it is at least 2 to 3 inches deep and it is not "gradual" or "tapered", the pavement around it is sharp and falls off and comes back up quickly. I cringe everytime I see someone in front of me or behind me hit it, because I know how deep and sharp it is. It is actually a sunken in manhole. I hit it a couple of times years ago when it first sunk in - in my old car and I can see that it can potentially cause damage. I am surprised that the city has not taken care of it, because I know it has to be damaging cars. It really needs to be addressed and I may contact the city myself about this little problem. I personally think it is a disgrace to the city and they should be ashamed. Not too far from that one is another that I hit about 2 years ago in my Lexus LS400. I had forgot about it and plunged into it. It caused my illuminated speedometer needle light to go partially out due to the severe jarring. I was very cross, but I did not do anything about it, because I was selling the car anyway.

I would definitely complain to the manager of that market/business with the damaged parking lot. Sounds like it could be a potentially dangerous hole and it should be addressed and dealt with in a properly and timely manner.

I am sure someone here soon will be able to address your question. Sorry to ramble on about the street woes.

Good luck!

Well, here are the instructions for doing this on a W124 even though it came from the W126 disc.

http://mb.braingears.com/126_DISC1/program/Engine/103/01-310.pdf

I have the same car so it must have been SOME pothole. Good luck with the repair.

Get an engine crane to support the engine and watch your fingers.