Advice for E300 Running Rough - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chrisaspencer · #1 02-21-2007, 09:44 PM

After much searching I've found a clean 97 E300 w/ 121k that the owner will let go for $4500. Here's the catch... Runs rough, knocking, smoking blue and white, glow plug light stays on. Not overheating. No apparent knock in lower part of motor. Owner said his tech says the timing chain has stretched and thinks it has bent a valve. Not sure how he determined this. Will be asking more. Is this possible if it still runs? Do chains stretch that far? What is the worst case scenario for the engine? Is this a bad idea? Will I probably end up opening this engine up and blowing a bunch of $$ then having to rebuild it in the end? What would a total rebuild cost? Will this motor have problems forever unless it is rebuilt from the bottom up from the start? If I could repair and service it for $3-$4 grand and it be a sound vehicle I would probably go for it. Thank you for any help you can give.

banshee350 · #2 02-22-2007, 12:28 AM

Are you able to get it up to operating temp? white smoke is unburned fuel or antifreeze. Could just be glow plugs I had one out and it ran very rough untill warmed up.blue smoke is oil what kind of oil has been used and when was it changed last.I would not think that the chain would be streched with that low of miles.

TMAllison · #3 02-22-2007, 12:42 AM

If it sounds like someone is in there with a hammer having fun it may well just be an injector or two that need to be balanced or require new nozzles.

Does it run better when warmed up? If so is prob just some bad GP's; replacing them can be scary and expensive as they have a habit of breaking off in the head if manhandled.

When i stomp the peddle on my turbo it puts out black/blue smoke which i understand is unburnt fuel, not oil. It uses 1qt for 7500 miles at 200k.

Not many folks here who have had a bad timing chain on a 606. None that I remember in fact. Not common place certainly.

Could be a valve. Could also be a sticky resonance valve too in combo with a bad GP or nozzle.

Suspect that a valve job would run $3k or so???

Rebuild $5-7???

Call dealer and ask them for quick quote. thats worse case.

BioPOWER · #4 02-22-2007, 12:56 AM

Blue and white smoke.....my first thought was a blown headgasket or a cracked head..

. The chain SHOULD NOT be stretched too much at 121,000, and it's gonna take a LOT of stretch to bend valves. Rough running and knocking could be attributed to injectors/IP, but with burnt oil (and possibly coolant) they're not likely the case.

My advice: walk away. As I read last night, "The cheapest Mercedes is the most expensive Mercedes." Especially with a newer car like this E300, there must be a lot wrong to merit that low of a price. Maybe the seller is holding back knowledge...?

If the car itself is in good condition and you would consider investing in it, I'd say go for it. It would make a great project if you were interested. Otherwise, look for a nice, running, '98 or '99 turbo model.

aklim · #5 02-22-2007, 09:25 AM

Run like hell unless you are planning to strip it apart for parts to sell

chrisaspencer · #6 02-22-2007, 09:33 AM

Thanks for all the information. I'm going to call a few shops here in Atlanta. Anyone recommend any in the ATL? So many unknowns, but it's hard to pass up a clean E300 if it's only a few grand fix.

Parrot of Doom · #7 02-22-2007, 09:48 AM

Is it behaving like this just when cold, or when warmed up?

If its fine when warm, chances are its just faulty glow plugs. Thats why the orange light stays lit for a minute.

Mine has 180,000 and the chain isn't stretched.

chrisaspencer · #8 02-22-2007, 09:54 AM

It runs like this all the time. I still can't figure out how the tech determined it has a bent valve without pulling off the head?Compression test maybe?I wouldn't think a chain would stretch this far, then bend just one valve, and also keep running.

michakaveli · #9 02-22-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisaspencer

It runs like this all the time. I still can't figure out how the tech determined it has a bent valve without pulling off the head?Compression test maybe?I wouldn't think a chain would stretch this far, then bend just one valve, and also keep running.

If you are looking for a project, sounds like a fun toy. Otherwise don't waste your time. Expect worst case always prior to buying a car like this. I remmber looking somewhere online the short block alone is like $6-7k.... Again, sounds like a fun project if you are slightly mechanically inclined.

TMAllison · #10 02-22-2007, 01:00 PM

M.B.DOC works (dealer) in Tucker, GA I think.

I'd let him look at it.

nhdoc · #11 02-22-2007, 02:04 PM

You can agree to buy it subject to a pre purchase inspection so you can know exactly what you are getting in to. It's either a steal or a money pit, you won't know until you spend some money on getting it looked at. Nobody here can definitively diagnose it without seeing it. If you're serious pony up the bucks and bring it to a KNOWLEDGABLE tech and get it checked out.

aklim · #12 02-22-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

You can buy it subject to a pre purchase inspection so you can know exactly what you are getting in to. It's either a steal or a money pit, you won't know until you spend some money on getting it looked at. Nobody here can definitively diagnose it without seeing it. If you're serious pony up the bucks and bring it to a KNOWLEDGABLE tech and get it checked out.

I'd get a PPI FIRST before I lay down the long green.

nhdoc · #13 02-22-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I'd get a PPI FIRST before I lay down the long green.

I meant that, he can agree to buy it subject to a PPI...

chrisaspencer · #14 02-22-2007, 06:37 PM

My only concern is that the way the owner made it sound, I won't have any real difinitive info until the motor is opened up. Can a PPI diagnose all of this?Thanks for all the input!

aklim · #15 02-22-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisaspencer

My only concern is that the way the owner made it sound, I won't have any real difinitive info until the motor is opened up. Can a PPI diagnose all of this?Thanks for all the input!

PM Gilly or 210OLEmotor. They are MasturBate Techs and can give you a definitive answer.