here's an odd one- 1988 300sel, 98K miles- Mobil 1. I let it sit in my garage for about two weeks, then started it... heard what sounded like a fairly load tappet noise, so I figured one of the lifters may have bled down.

Drove it for about 25 miles, good oil pressure... as I'm pulling into my garage, it refused to idle, and I had to restart several times to park it. At this point, I suspect that the battery is shot, and maybe voltage is too low at idle. Next day, I buy a new battery, go to start car, and I hear the solenoid click, but the starter won't spin.

Removed the valve cover- nothing looks hung up. Removed plugs- nothing miscolored (I suspected sugar in the gas) Removed the drive belt (thinking that maybe one of the accessories had seized up)- nope, they all spin.

Anybody ever run into anything like this with the six? I change the Mobile 1 frequently, K&N air filter- car is near mint condition, and I just cannot understand how it could suddenly appear to seize up- any ideas?

Thanks- John Cazin

I would take the plugs out and put car in neutral and try turning engine over with socket on front crank pulley nut .......
William Rogers.......

I doubt the engine has seized. Believe it or not, the distinct possibility exists that you starter packed it in. Try what Will suggested, but I bet the starter is toast. AS to the rough idle etc, check the OVP relay. Known to cause this type of problem..

nope- broken crank. 98,000 miles, Mobil 1 every 4000 miles, and never near redline.....the german engineering has been an amusing myth; this will be my last Mercedes- good luck to all

88sel for sale- parts
00ML320 for sale- soon to be parts
86 Corvette not for sale- cause I can fix all the parts

How much are you asking for the pair? I am interested.

Unbelievable, a broken crankshaft. Wow!!!

$3000 for the 300sel- come and get it, at Robert Walters in Lakeland, Florida- excellent condition, except for the engine- otherwise, I'll park it in my backyard and beat on it whenever it pleases me to do so.

The ML320 hasn't turned into parts yet, but I'm confident of its demise.

ccazin@tampabay.rr.com