does anyone know if a small oil drip (very minor, barely measureable over 3k miles) at the bottom of the vacuum pump is signifigant of failure. it is an old style pump.

no noise and strong vaccuum measurements at last check.

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MIKE
1987 300D Turbo, 225K
124.133/603.960

No noise is good news!
That leak isn't associated with a failing vac pump. The problem occurs when the bearings come apart and fall into the oil system. It sounds like a gasket leaking. You could replace the gasket and while the pump is off inspect the ramp on the timing device to see if its getting scored. Spin the little bearing on the end of the arm that drives the pumps diaphragm to see if its still good, if it doesn't spin freely its time to replace the pump. Someone was looking for a replacement bearing but I don't think it was ever reported as to how to change that thing.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!