Hey everyone,

My dad's 300SD has been making some rattling noises for a while now and I finally got around to investigating. Turns out the source was a heat shield that seems to cover the starter. It looks like it has two holes on it and BOTH have deterioriated to a point where neither are attaching to the mounting points.

I am curious if this shield can be removed or is best left in place and repaired.

I can feel the rear most mounting point, but cannot tell where the front is or feel it.

__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

I would probably try to fix that one, or find a replacement.

I had a 1976 300D and it came from the factory will no heatshield at all protecting the starter from the hot exhaust. I noticed that on hot days when the engine was already at operating temp, the starter would turn the motor over slowly. It turned really slow, but the motor always started up. When the motor was cold or in the winter i didnt have this issue.

I assume its because the starter was getting to hot. My new Bosch starter did the same exact thing when it was hot. A heatshield would have probably helped.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Hm.. I think repairing it will be a pain in the ass. Both bots are mostly impossible to acces without tearing out something... I think, at minumum, the starter would have to come out.

I dont really feel like crawling under the car and trying that. Especially since the car needs to be back on the road tomorrow.

I think I'll just remove the plate, keep it and if time ever presents itself.. I'l put it back up

__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

i just re-installed one this weekend after rebuilding the turbo.
in my 81 300sd

i wire-brush stripped it and repainted it with black engine paint
it as not dry yet when i was ready to put it back in (aka did it after i replaced the exhaust.

turns out you do can remove/insert without taking anything else out.
just 3 10mm bolts.
the plate has a pem-nut or welded nut on the center bolt.
just takes a bit of gymnastics to position it properly.

if you can find a replacement, you should be able to do it in 10 minutes (plus paint drying time!) as long as your hands are not 'Andre the Giant' size.

cheers,
Geoff

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'81 300SD ---> '46 IHC Metro (some day)