I had a W123 where someone didn't lube the linkage and had installed a huge return spring to get the car to idle....

Anything can happen when a car is 20+ years old.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles