Yup. After over 10 years of faithful service, he is gone.

I was driving down the road last week and there was loud rhythmic clanking sound. I pulled over and looked to see that there were sparks coming from the front of the engine where all the pulleys are.

My guess was confirmed by the mechanic. Five main pulley bolts (there are six I think) have sheared off. Hence, the pulley was turning non-concentrically and banging up against the pulley above it (water pump i think).

The mechanic said that I would be expensive to 'attempt' to pull out the 5 broken bolts (still in the holes), the fan blades are busted, both pulleys are shot, and something called the harmony balancer is shot (whatever that is).
He said there is no telling how much labor it would take to retrieve the bolts.

Needless to say. The car is dead. I'll be scanning the classifieds for another diesel soon.

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Jennifer
90 350sdl

Deader'n a door-nail aye!

Any chance Olé Pete might be worth resuscitating? New engine etc?

Jen sorry to hear the bad news at least you weren't in heavy traffic and or in any danger as a result of the breakdown. I am in the same boat too. I have a busted 240d sitting in my mechanic's yard and still deciding what to do.......

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Although I am not really familiar with the 616 4banger this doesn't sound all that bad. The crankshaft pulley bolts to the harmonic damper, doesn't it? If so, then why bother pulling the sheared off bolts? Just pull the harmonic damper, install new (used) damper with new (used) pulleys, fan, etc. and away you go. If you can R&R a damper then this should be relatively simple. Suggest that to your mechanic. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I don't understand why it's shot. It ain't shot unless a rod is sticking out of the block, and even then it ain't, just get a new engine in there. If you have a 4 speed then this is quite serendipitous; install a 5 cylinder turbodiesel from a 300D.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

I wouldn't scrap ...er, "him" just because of that. Needs a few used parts and some elbow grease, big deal. Need to find a mechanic that isn't intimidated by a Mercedes.

Gilly

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

This may sound patronising and overly simplistic,but for those accustomed to doing their own work it is easy.

Remove the radiator,lift the AC condenser out of the way,pull and check the water pump and have a drill,with some sharp bits and some Easy Outs which will pull the sheared bolts,assuming that's the problem.

I do not know if your mechanic is exaggerating the severity of the problem but please do not give up yet,perhaps you could arrange to post some pics?

Where are you,by the way?

Be great if there are any forum members near you.

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As others said this does not sound like a big deal. It's all external and there are lots of tricks, like changing the dampner etc. I wouldn't mind helping you out but judging by your profile you must live near the water, of which there is none here. P.S. I used to sail myself.
Brian

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

Unless the body is rusted or the car requires too much other work Pete is not dead yet These cars deserve the extra effort. They give so much more back.

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Peter
1984 300D MB "Klara"
1996 4Runner SR5 "Toy"
1997 Impreza Outback "Subie"
80's Diesel PU Rig (to be purchased)

Jen - That doesn't sound terminal to me either. I would get a second opinion from a trusted MB mechanic. I'm not sure your current mechanic is correct.(You've gotten quite a few second opinions here on this forum too.....and none of them seem to think Pete's a goner.)

Cheers,
Wes

Here is a thread from 2001 where Larry admits to knowing that a pilot bearing can be installed in a 300 crank.... and declares the thread to be a ' gem'...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=24799&highlight=pilot+bearing

In Rleo's post about the costs of his conversion from auto to manual trans he lists the new pilot bearing at $10.....

Jentay: where are you located. If not too far from Dallas, I might take that junk off your hands..........

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1984 300SD 326,997 miles and counting . . . No wait, my odometer is still dead

She is somewhere in the South East near the Atlantic... maybe Charleston.. I can tell by the syntax of her sentences....

Now,now. Let's not be so ferret-eyed and ready to scoop up someone's forlorn hope.

I think the majority of us here would genuinely like to see her drive that car again,as well as offering the benefit of whatever experience we may have,if not outright assistance.

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Interesting thread. Just a note in case you decide to have pete's funeral even though most suggest you do not. I kind of agree with their opinions as well. I also understand no car goes forever. Drove certain cars myself until I was so tired of them I hoped they would develop a major problem. I can offer to extend parts of petes lifespan if required as I need a drivers fender and front valence panel. Try to think of it as an organ transplant kind of thing. Rather than just the vultures moving in. Well I better fly off to town to get a few things for the wife. (with the right mindset this can turn out to be a pretty minor problem. Get a second opinion if the first was too harsh)