Howdy! This is my first post anywhere,so be gentle. I have a 300D with 168000 miles on it. Yesterday a intermittent rattle appeared. It sounds like a screw is loose rattling around inside the front of the valve cover. After reading previous posts it sounds like a timing chain problem.

I am the second owner and don't know if the PO ever had it replaced. I do know the oil was changed frequently because I had a compression check done before I bought it and my tech was impressed at how good and even it was. (I think around 795).

I think I'm OK as far as engine damage it idles evenly and it was only driven a short distance home at moderate speed.

I have a couple of questions
1. Should I have it towed to the shop?
2. How much should it cost? (I just paid $900 to have the tranny re-sealed.)ouch!
3. Can I do this myself?
4. Does it sound like a timing chain or something else?

I hope to hear from someone soon.

Thanks

Mr. Bill

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Hard to tell about noises at a distance. Before you condemn the chain be sure of your vacuum pump. They often come apart with serious consequences for the chain as the pieces fall through it.

I wouldn't drive it till its looked at if the noise is regular and apparent. Whether you would do the job has a lot to do with your confidence. The chain times the crank cam and pump. No room for error.

It is easy to remove the valve cover to inspect, but you probably won't know what to look for as most will be subjective. Good Luck.

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

Unless you are a serious home technician, I would follow Steve's advice and have it hauled to a shop. The roller from the vacuum pump could be rattling around, or anything.

If you were to take off the valve cover, MAYBE you would find something obvious. If you don't find something totally obvious, send it to a competent tech that has lots of experience with the breed. Don't take a chance and run it any more without determining exactly what the problem is.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I had a '91 W124 Euro 300D 6cyl no turbo. I was sure I had a tappet problem. Replaced all the tappets and cam followers. Rattle still there. It turned out to be a part on the little shock absorber on the front of the engine. A plastic sleeve had deteriorated and I had metal on metal. Machined a replica on the spot with stainless. Problem solved!

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'97 E300Turbodiesel "Superchip" 200+bhp
'00 A140 Avantgarde Auto
'91 500SEL W126
'66 220SEb Coupe (restoration pending)
'58 180D (restoration underway)

Thanks to all for the replies! Turned out, a screw had fallen out of the alternator causing the rattle. Your advice not to drive it saved a bundle and the alternator. y'all are great!

Mr. BILL

85 300D
84 300SD