I recently replaced the front engine mounts on my 1987 260E using aftermarket parts from mercedesshop.com.

(fair prices, fast service. Thanks)

The new mounts are notably taller (as in NOT crushed due to age and wear), and the cooling fan is no longer centered in the fan shroud.

It seems to me that the culprit is likely a compressed transmission mount. Before I buy one and do the work, I want a professional opinion on how to know if the old mount needs replacement.

Further, the car has always run very warm. (Charleston, South Carolina) sitting in traffic with the A/C on, it can go all the way up to just under the red line. I have a relatively new fan clutch, water pump, radiator hoses and thermostat. None of those replacements made any real difference. I suspect that the non-centered fan MIGHT make a difference, combined with the fact that a previous owner cut a chunk out of the bottom of the shroud to enable it to be pulled out past the fan. Any thoughts about boosting cooling efficiency aside from the obvious?

Does NOBODY have any thoughts on this?

Steve:

The shroud helps to direct/concentrate air flow toward the radiator. Just how big a chunk are you talking about? It would be interesting to see what improvement you'd experience with a "complete" shoud installed. My 2 cents.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

First & foremost, the shroud IS important. If the ‘chunk’ that is missing is large, a lot of air will recirculate from in front of the blades out the rear & back in again, thus less air going *through* the core. This will be most apparent during low speed driving, when the ram air effect is minimal. Centering is not as important, but may have some effect due to the vortices created by the ends of the blades.

Hi Steve:

I also recently changed my two motor mounts and also went and changed my tranny mounts as well as the flex discs attaching the driveshafts. I did it all at once since I had the car on the rack.

The tranny mount was also torn too. It is a real soft mount. If tranny fluid gets on it, I think it would wear out quickly.

As far as your overheating problem goes, have you tried changing the thermostat out again??? I had a bad thermostat right out of the box. It was hanging.

Hope this helps.

Aloha,
Eric

__________________
1987 260E Charcoal Grey 157,000 Miles
1987 260E Forest Green 120,000 Miles

RunningTooHot: Very articulate reply. Buying a shroud today. The chunk is about 25% of the bottom of the shroud. Apparently a "mechanic" cut it out instead of removing the fan bolt. That bolt is a pain in the butt, so I sort-of understand.

ETSA, Mike: Thanks for your thoughts as well. I have ordered the mount as well.

I was also pleasantly surprised to use the new FastLane and see that the little nit-picky parts are CHEAP! The o-ring to replace the dried out one on my oil dipstick was only 11 cents, and thoe oil filler cap was $3.50!

Brother of The Benz, stevepeck
The "O" ring on the dipstick you already know is a seal for the crankcase ventilating system.
I wrapped sewing thread in the groove prior to installing the "O" ring to provede a more positive seal.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!