Crankshaft Pulley

[TCCBass]

During a trip to the lake on Saturday, I pulled off an exit in my 84 300D-T. The alternator light came on, power steering stopped working, and AC quit. Pulled QUICKLY into a parking lot, and checked the engine. The crankshaft pulley wasn't turning. If I help it, it tries to catch, but I have kept the car turned off. Unfortunately I was in the country, and had to have it towed to an import shop, well, I don't know exactly how to get back to it. He told me the crankshaft bolt is cross threaded, and they are having trouble getting it out. Apparantly the shop that replaced the Crankshaft seal cross threaded.
Can this be rethreaded? Am I looking at another car? Guess I'll start shopping. Any suggestions appreciated.

Robert

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R Talley
84 300D-T 206K miles

[This message has been edited by TCCBass (edited 05-02-2000).]

[Benzmac]

I don't think that you can cross thread this...Maybe overtighten, but not cross thread. To do this, you would not get the bolt all of the way in and it would fail soooon. I have repaired a few of this with some success. I had to get a used balancer and pins.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

[Larry Delor]

Reading your post about how you pulled off the freeway and the lights came on, gave me goosebumps! It was exactly the same for me when my '83 300D threw its balancer for the THIRD time. Hope you have better luck thanI am having.
-Larry

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03/83 300D 184k
07/73 280 160k

[TCCBass]

Thanks for your replies gentlemen. I am going to journey to the country this afternoon and look at that part. I want these guys to know that I'm fairly mechanical minded and not someone they can jack around. They are quoting between $450-500, not unreasonable if it cross threaded, since it needs a new balancer and pins. Does this seem about right? I want to see that bolt. For what this is costing, I may have it gold plated and use on my desk.
Thanks for further ideas!
Robert

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R Talley
84 300D-T

[stevebfl]

I have seen dozens of balancer failures on MB diesels. I have seen two where the bolts were froze and the balancer spinning.

Both bolts broke on removal with a ten foot pipe.

The most recent one we quoted for a shaft removal and used shaft. From our experience if the balancer doesn't fit TIGHT to the crank, it will never work again. Our plan was to put in a used crank. The repairs would have been over half the value of the car.

The car was taken to a Volvo repair shop down the road and sat there for 2 months. They finally got it together and arranged the sale to the friend of the shop owner. The car lasted about 3 months and the balancer is back off worse than ever and the shop owner now owns the car and it is still sitting six months later. The car is history unless someone repairs it right and it doesn't get cheaper doing it poorly the first time.

We use MBs balancer installer as they fit that tightly. If the balancer can be installed by hand your in trouble.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

[Benzmac]

Steve is absolutely correct in his statements.!!!!!!

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

[TCCBass]

Thanks VERY much for the information. Yet another question... How will I know if they use a MB installer? This shop seems to be fairly knowledgable about the car, and said the crankshaft wasn't damaged other than the bolt being put in wrong. Apparantly it got in part of the way, and since they probably were using power tools it they thought it was tight. I don't really want to call the guy and sound like I'm questioning his ability, but I also don't want to pay another $600 for a balancer and installation. Would you keep the car, or get rid of it ASAP? There are some good 123's here in Dallas, as those cars sold really well here in the early 80's. I don't want to drive with the fear of this happening again.
Thanks for the advise!!
Robert

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R Talley
84 300D-T