I have a number of unrelated questions about some issues:

1- How do I change the light bulb in the passenger side vent? it is out ....also out is the bulb in the heat adjustment dial of my climate control. how to change that also?

2- While gear in Drive, and standing still at a traffic light, i have a bit of a rumble in the cabin. it seems to be a rhythmic rumbling that repeats every second or so, and then goes away, comes back...etc. it is faint, but to my ears is annoying. if i put it in neutral, it goes away, and everything smothes out....transmission mount? the ocilating nature of it is what worries me....vacuum issue?

3-I don't like the smell of my exhaust when the car first starts. It is not oil or coolant smells (i know those), is it running rich or something?

5-When i first start the car in the morning, idle seems to jump for a second and then goes back down to normal. any ideas what could cause that?

6-What are the common sensors on the 104 engine that affect engine performance the smoothness the most?

thanks in advance

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1993 300E, 2.8 M104 .....

1- The vent must be pulled out. A wire with a hook in the end works (like the cluster-pulling tools) to pull on the vent.

While pulling, you need to release the four clips, two top and two bottom, visible inside the vent. A small screwdriver will pry them inward, one at a time while keeping outward pressure on the vent assembly.

The bulb holder is pressed/clipped into the back of the vent assembly.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

As far as the rumbling in the cabin that could be an indicator that your motor mounts are needing to be replaced. How many miles on the car? Does it feel like the engine is missing? Sounds like your idle is uneven. When was the car last serviced and tuned ie. plugs, filters, wires etc.? Have you checked to see if the car has recorded any fault codes? Do you know if the engine wiring harness has been replaced?

If the rumble is subtle it could be normal harmonic vibrations.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Babymog, thanks for the detailed technique. i will look into this ....

Mbzman, car has 180,000 miles. i replaced head gasket last month, and the head was serviced. car idles perfeclty and no vibration in the cabin. this only happens when the car is in gear at a traffic light. if i put it in neutral it smooths out.....wiring harness is good, plugs are new, the only thing i have not done is find someone to pull codes for me (i don't have a check engine light in my car)...............

t walgamuth, can you describe what the harmonic balancer does? the rumble is very subtle, i am the only one notices it. only at idle while in gear....

THANKS

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1993 300E, 2.8 M104 .....

I'd inspect the motor mounts. Typical for those symptoms.

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-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition

Ok, so after a bit more attention to the problem. I noticed a bit or RPM fluctuation while stopped and car in Drive. is this normal, or is some sensor a bit off? sure the mounts might need replacement to eliminate any vibration, but as i said in my earlier post, it is this fluctuation that is worrying me a bit.....

any ideas?

thanks,

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1993 300E, 2.8 M104 .....

When was the car last tuned? I would start off with the basics ensuring that the plugs, filters and wires are in good condition. Are you sure there is no check engine light in the gauge cluster?

plugs are new, wires seem to be fine . new cam sensor...what else?

what filters ?

thanks,

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1993 300E, 2.8 M104 .....