How did it die?
 

Hi,

About two years ago I bought a 1987 420SEL. After a week or so of ownership it died. I was so upset that I didn't even bother trying to find out what happened - the car was scrapped.

I'm wondering if anyone can shed any light on what actually did happen. At first I thought it was the oil pump, but now I'm not so sure.

Here is the story.

I bought the car with an indictaed 120,000 miles. It had obviously done much, much more, and it had no service history, but it was only £900 so I couldn't really complain.

The first thing I noticed was the car smoked a lot - I don't think the smoke was particulary blue, but it smoked loads - especially under more acceleration.

The oil warning light came on a few times, so I was topping up with oil (maybe this light was indictaing a problem with the oil pump?).

I was on the motorway doing about 70mph when all of a sudden I lost power and the biggest amount of smoke I have ever seen in my life poured out of the back. I managed to pull over onto the hard shoulder.

Stupidly, I tried to start the car and it sounded like a bag of nails.

What do you guys think? Oil pump? Timing chain?

I'd like to know so I can avoid it in the future!

Thanks

Oliver

What went wrong was that you continued to drive it in that condition :)

Very true :) I was on my way to a garage to get the oil pump checked when it happened - I ended up getting the car towed to the garage and leaving it there.

It was a silly buy anyway. It was the wrong colour for me and it was a bit rusty :)

<<It was a silly buy anyway. It was the wrong colour for me>>

Yes, you should always consider the color [ colour] above all other matters when buying a used Benz.
That way, in the long run, you will wind up owning many ,many Benz in short time , but all the correct color............:)

Yep, forget about the mechanics - if it's black, it's cool :D

Seriously though, I'll be more careful next time. I thought it might not have been too good to be true at £900, but it was.

I hear ya..

Kinda like a Black Benz myself...just so long as the oil colour doesn't match the exterior to any degree....

you know what we say..
"The most $xpensive Benz is always the cheap one" ............