'87 190E rotor problem
 

My '87 190E has fallen and I am not sure I can get it back up.

I traced the sudden problem to the distributor cap and rotor. Knowing I should have replaced them some time ago I bought new ones and put them in. No joy. A little further looking and I realized that the rotor was not being spun by the motor. Pulled the distributor and stuck my finger in to find the gear that drives the rotor is freewheeling.

What is the probable cause, damage, and cost?:eek:

Sounds like a rotor stand blew apart. Thats cheap. If the timing chain broke.... thats expensive.



Joe

I think the timing chain drives a sprocket that drives a worm gear that drives the rotor. If chain breaks, worm gear will freewill. I think these are not interference engines... i.e. the valves wont get bent when the timing chain breaks.

Does the car not run at all?
How did it die? All the sudden?
How many miles are on it?
Was it making any special noises prior to it failing?

My 1986 190E with 98000 miles has motor noise and lack of power. I cant go over 60 mph.

Good luck.

Is it a 2.6 or 2.3?

It is a '87 190E 2.3, dosn't have any fire at the spark plugs so it dosn't run. Happened suddenly in my driveway thankfully. It has 197K on the broken odometer so I am going to guess 230K miles.

It seems to me that it must be the timing chain. I pulled the rotor stand out and could feel the horizontal drive shaft and gear (oil pump drive shaft?) freewheeling.

Drove fairly well up to the end. Some rough idle at times but only on idle, ran great.