i have a weird sound that i hear when the engine is cold. i hear it when i turn it off, and have my door open to hear the engine. it sounds like a sandpaper rubbing something, or more like friction or rubbing.

i was just reading some posts about bad motor mounts, and think that my belts might be rubbing against something. what all do i need to check there.

any other possible ideas on the sound?

__________________

Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

Of course the ultimate disaster scenario would be engin oil or tranny cooler lines rubbing against a belt pulley, but you'd smell rubber burning too. Otherwise check your belts and torque the motor mount bolts. Nobody torques engine mount bolts even though they're listed as needing tightening at MB service intervals of 25k or 50k miles. Thats how motor mounts die at an early age.

Sandpaper sound ye say? What happens if you dont shut off the cold engine - does it go away after the engine warms up? To instantly check if its the fanbelts shoot em with a little soapy water first before cold starting the engine.