85 300d Federal Vapor Tube Mount Problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

FRANKNBENZ · #1 12-27-2007, 05:04 PM

Silver Bullet runs great. Recently noisy at idle, then smooth when pedal applied. Removed the air cleaner, housing. Noted the down tube from the housing to the oil sump was loose to the touch.

Under the car one can see that the tube has a tab; that tab is affixed by one screw to the thick metal bracket supporting the turbo.

Tube and tab were separated = noise. Temp nylon tie until I consult with you gurus made the noise go away.

Too tight to MIG in situ, need to know if anyone had a similar problem and was able to easily remove the tube without major dissassembly.

Thanks. Happy Holidays.

dmorrison · #2 12-27-2007, 08:55 PM

Very common. My son's car had the same problem. Jack the car up and place on jackstands. From below the engine and rear of the suspension you can access the support with a small 1/4 drive socket and a small closed end wrench. Take it out. Mig weld it, paint it ( I used POR15 ) and reinstall it. Make sure you install new Orings, top and bottom, while your at it.

Dave

FRANKNBENZ · #3 12-28-2007, 10:56 AM

Thanks, Dave. Getting at and removing the screw seems straightforward. I'm concerned about removing the tube, with all its bends, as being the more challenging.

Other than removing the cleaner housing, Did you/your son have to dismantle anything else? I don't want to R&R the turbo if I don't have to.

Frank

dmorrison · #4 12-28-2007, 02:21 PM

The air filter assembly was off the car. I did remove a sheet metal heat shield that was in the way, 2 small screws. I lowered the tube towards the rear of the car and that allowed me to snake it out of the engine mount area. But as I said the heat shield had to be removed. I also had the battery tray removed but don't think it was in the way, I was POR15ing the battery tray. It was not terribly difficult. Good luck

Dave

FRANKNBENZ · #5 01-22-2008, 09:58 AM

Dave and others,

Patient was an 85 300D Federal.

Vapor tube mount tab failure was NOT the rattle -- try a sheared alternater pivot bolt, oval-ing of the mount shroud bracket, cracking of the slide adjustment mount plate, etc. Oh, and the temp outside is 20 degrees.

Two days to remove the fan, pulley, shroud (to get at the front alternator block mount plate bolt). Couldn't get the sheared threaded remnant of the pivot bolt out of the block mount, even when played with on the bench. Plan B had me freezing my posterior off removing same parts off Old Blue.

With all that stuff off, before reassembly, I was able to pass the repaired vapor tube from the FRONT of the car, just "screwing" it in under the turbo. New O-rings per your recommendation (stretched #8's from Home Depot work fine).

Reassembly of the alternator group was straightforward. Had to MIG the adjustment bracket in a few places and straighten out the threaded rod affixed to the top mount bolt. Some lube and the sagacious application of a 2 pound ballpeen and we're on the road again...very smooth.

Thanks to all who pointed the way. I'm off to Pakistan tomorrow. Might have some time to write up these three days of total unmitigated joy (NOT!).

Good luck on your jobs.

Frank

Lycoming-8 · #6 01-23-2008, 03:01 AM

Return Safely!!