Hello,
I've just picked up a 1991 190e 1.8 Manual in bright red with 80,000miles. Overall I am very happy with the car but there are a couple of things that are nagging me.

There are a couple of noises emenating from the engine / front exhaust.

The first noise is a rattle which appears at about 1500rpm and then again at around 3000. Seems to go away above about 50mph.
I've had a quick check of the hetshields and they all seem secure.

I'm thinking its either loose mountings somewhere or a rattling cat.
How would I tell which? How much should the engine move when grasped by the manifold and pulled?

There is another noise which could be related which I think may be coming from the timing chain when accelerating, how can I check the condition of the chain/tensioner?

The final thing is a rattle (can you see a pattern forming!) which seems to be coming from the window motor. I have taken the panel off the door and after taping various parts it seems to be coming from the motor/worm drive assembly(it goes away if i grasp the metal motor housing in my hand). I would like to take the motor out to see if there are loose gears etc inside the case. The thing is I think I would need to take the whole assembly out including the window lifter gears etc. Is this a straightforward job or would i need to re-seat the window glass etc after removal?

Any help would be much apprechiated!

Hi, nice to see another UK member

I have the door rattle in the rear and possibly the drivers door but haven't got as far as you with diagnosing it. Sounds like a not-so-easy repair. oh well.

As for the engine related rattle you describe, it could well be the timing chain. A good, experienced mechanic should be able to listen to it and tell you. He also probably shouldn't charge you..

I wouldn't nexessarily expect a rattle at your age and mileage - is the mileage confirmable? I only ask because 180,000 miles can easily look like just 80,000 miles on a 190E.

Good luck,

Russ

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190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

Cheers for the reply,

Overall the noises are very slight. If I have the radio on I cant relly hear anything so I think I'm worrying about nothing.
I have wrapped the window motor case in plasticine to see if it damps the rattle a bit!

I think getting a mechanic to listen to it is a good idea, I'm going to crawl under the car at the weekend and check the exhaust to gearbox mounting as apparently this can cause noises even if slightly loose.

I think I might also enquire about getting a silencer made up to replace the cat (legal on my 1991 car) as I think this might kill the rattle and liberate a hp or two!

The car seemed cheap to me at £1300 and I havent got any validation of the milage. I have thought quite lot about that myself. The engine hasnt used any oil yet after having driven about 700 miles so that seems fairly tight.The car is in very good nick as far as the paint & interior goes, there are no chips in the windscreen and the seat fabric and steering wheel isnt worn so I think the milage is fairly accurate.

I would recomend having a look inside your rear door the cover comes off fairly easily (unlike my VW were I broke plastic clips everytime I took anything off!)

Duncan

You didn't specify whether it was the front or rear window.

If it is a rear window, then it could be the window motor/winder mechanism that is held in place to the inside of the door by three rubber isolating "feet". The have metal threads on each end and a rubber section in the middle. These often fail over a period of time. You may want to check them.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

As for the engine rattle, you might also want to check the serpentine belt tensioner and damper.

I just replaced mine since it would rattle at lower rpms, but with these things it's hard to tell at what rpm they will rattle. Timing chain will usually be quiet at higher rpms.

Other then that I'd shoot for the cat too.

xp

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1985 190E 2.3L - a constant project.

Cheers guys, that will keep me busy.

I think the engine/exhaust noise could be just in one place but is making different sounds at different revs.

I will check the sepentine belt as I hadnt thought of that and its easy to get at.

The window was the front one, and this noise seems to come and go, at the moment its gone so I'll forget that for the time being!

I've got pleanty to check for the time being, thanks again.

Just for information.
I've just replaced the belt and it has reduced the noise quite a bit.
I think it will be fine without a shock.
I can now hear 3 distinct noises, the loudest sounding like a hydraulic lifter, it goes away at high revs. The other is from the chain. I have bought a chain tensioner so I'll fit that soon.
There is also a slight noise from the downpipe/cat area so I'll check that out.

I have also noticed my fan doesnt seem to come on so that needs checking(hopefuly the sender unit), and I have just broken the head of one of the thermostat housing bolts!

I think the car will keep me busy for a while yet!

Timing chain is good unless it is whining....you should be able to hear that.

The other vibration could be your cataylatic converter is rworn out on the inside ans vibrating.