w124 87 300E Problems
 

Hi!,

My 87 300E has about 190,000 miles and a lot of problems.

Engine:

Leaks like anything at the front timing cover

Transmission:

It leaks a puddle every night, and it shifts very rough, it feels like a thud shifting 1st to 2nd. I read in a previous post relating to this topic that the problem was in a 2/3 way vacuum valve????? I was wondering is it worth it to replace the gaskets, seals and friction discs, or just fix where it is leaking currently? I am just wondering because I don't know how much life is left in this transmission.

Brakes:

The brakes feel very spongy, I replaced the pads and rotors but still it feels like I have to press hard on the pedal just to stop. I was told it may be the master cylinder.

Thanks!

Hi there!
 

Engine:

Very common leak at the front cover. You may want to reseal properly by a good mechanic or live with it.

Transmission:

If it is leaking, you may try a stop-a-leak (at last resource) or just fix the problem $$.

Brakes:

When was the last time the brake fluid was changed? and how old are the brake lines?

Good luck!

The front cover leak is a result of a failed or improperly installed seal. Fairly easy fix, but takes some time.

The hard shifting is a result of low engine vac or leaking vac lines. Pull the air filter housing and replace all the rubber parts of the vac lines, and you will shift smoother. The AC will also then work better, and you will cure some of the idle roughness, too!

Check the hoses on the idle control valve (under the air filter housing) -- they get hard and leak even though they are still attached.

Tranny leak can be a leaking actuator seal or the front pump. If it is the front pump, you will eventually need a new tranny (not really repariable). At any rate, expensive. You will need to crawl under and find out where the leak it, it may be a simple as the dipstick tube o-ring.

Brakes will feel funny for a while, til you get used to the ABS. A little bit longer travel than you are used to, and a sort of dead zone where you don't seem to feel more pressure, but increased pedal travel gives more braking. This is normal.

However, if you need to apply a large amount of force, you may have a leaking brake booster and/or booster line. This will also give you low vac (and hard shifts, AC vents that close on accleration) and hesitation.

Peter