I am not happy this morning.

Over the past 3 days, my SDL been making a louder and louder clanking noise from the front of the engine. I usually pay really close attention, but I ignored it the first day (it was really minor, and only noticeable at idle). The past two days, the noise had gotten louder, and I initially thought that it was something with the serpentine belt, but pushing the shock/tensioner/pulley did nothing when I checked last night when the engine was hot.

When I was checking the belt, it seemed like the clanking was coming from the front of the engine. Just for good measure, I added some oil before some more observation prior to my morning commute.

I started the car, it ran for 20 seconds, clanking right away, then missing or studdering once and then died (while I was watching it from the front bumper). It kicked slightly more than normal when it shut down and maybe made a bit of a click. I attempted to restart, but I can't tell if it is turning over- though it sounds very strange when cranking and will not fire. I didn't try hard to restart, clearly it wasn't going to work.

Does anyone have some specific recommendations for what to do next?

I have never checked the chain on this car, but I guess I will tonight. Based on other threads, it sounds like the chain and tensioner are suspect, which sounds like it has grave implications for the engine as a whole. Anything else that I should check first? Can anyone recommend a troubleshooting proceedure for the 90 minutes that I will have to work on the car this evening?

Fortunately, it is resting in my paved carport under a nice big oak tree.

Crossing my fingers that the engine in not toast...

(some other facts, the car has a new head and radiator - not put in by me, I put in the new vac pump, oil pressure was allways at 3 when in drive).

alec

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84 300TD - 235k - Farbe "Surfblau" bought at 213k
87 300SDL - 131k - Farbe "PimpGold" bought at 115k
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