I noticed over the weekend, my 89 300e started to make a weird rattling noise. It was dark, so I couldn't really see anything. The next morning, The noise became much much louder, and was accompanied by a screeching noise. Trouble. After tearing out my front end, I found that my fan pulley was loose, and started to grind against the flywheel. The bearing was completely shot!


So i guess I have 2 questions: 1, Is that bearing failure normal? (183k) Or am I tightening my belt too tight?

2: My flywheel took a little damage. The "face" of it got shaved a bit. Do I need to replace?

Yes, that is normal at 183K if it is the original part. A replacement is easily sourced and installed.

Your flywheel? How is that possible? The flywheel is at the exact opposite end of the engine?!

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Sorry, not the flywheel. The disc brake looking thing just behind the crank pulley. front of the engine. Crank mabey?

Crank Pulley/Vibration Damper

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Thanks. Sometimes my mind just doesnt work.

Sounds like the fan bearing to me.

You probably need a new fan and fan bearing. When mine went, my friendly and trusted MB man in Wimbledon fixed those items and installed a few new 'jocky wheels' too and all's been fine ever since.

The noise struck as we were motoring towards London in the Loire valley. We managed the journey to London with ghastly noises but, mercifully, nothing broke.

Best to get it fixed soon, sooner, soonest as disintegration could cause untold damage.

The best to you.

RayH

Loire Valley. Hmmmmm, just and hop, skip and jump over a puddle away from London. Lucky you made it without the fan tearing the radiator to shreds.