If you have any records on the car, that is always helpful as icing on the cake.

Run the VIN with a service writer @ a Mercedes-Benz dealer to see what VMI (Vehicle Maintenance Inquiry) all has been done to the car since new, at any MB dealer. They'll print it out for you too at no charge, if you're nice and courteous about asking for it.

Diesel Jim

My vacuum pump's failed abruptly and second time when it went it chewed up the timing gear, that is the reason I had to change the Timing gear. I don't think the redesigned V. pump requires a new timing gear. The ball etc are still sitting in the oil pan.

On another matter I do not have any engine or transmission leak, however I do have some minor fuel links that are coming from plastic fuel lines & Shut off valve, it only leaks when it get's real cold ( don't have too many of them in Dallas). I do need to change to viton O rings someday when I pull the intake which may be a long time since I deleted the EGR (Texas does not requires Diesel smog test).

__________________
06 MB E320 CDI 123k miles
14 Sienna (wife's DD) 36k miles
11 GL350 Bluetec 136k (Sold)
96 E300; 292k+ miles (Donated)
11 Sprinter 22K+ miles (Sold)

Well on my to do list is to defeat the EGR and fix whatever is going on with the glow plug system

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Some will, some won't....I asked very nicely and was essentially told that the VMI is for dealer's eyes only.

BTW VMI stands for Vehicle Master Inquiry.

__________________
14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 142k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

If you're turned down by one employee, go to another one at the same OR another MB dealer. If you continue to be told; "that the VMI is for dealer's eyes only," you're likely dealing with a doofus. In that case, write down what; his eyes only read. It's really not that difficult to obtain exact info on your MB - that is, if it's actually in your ownership and possession... I've certainly never had a problem getting info on the spot whenever I've requested it here in Dallas from my MB dealer.

Lots of good tips here. Thank ali. I read timing gear and thought maybe it was the one on the IP since it has to be changed for a possible refit with the newer sealed design I have seen talked about in other posts.

The car at times seems to want to wiggle back and forth. I don't know if that is old/badly needed replacing tires, ball joints, tie rods, drag link or a combination of these? Not quite as good a condition as I hoped but I still think its going to be ok.

I don't suppose an OBDII scanner will tell me which glowplug is bad? Can I get to the glow plugs to diagnose them without removing the intake manifold especially with my big hands.

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

I see as a 124 guys I have a whole new suspension and steering concept to learn.

Maybe the rack and pinion bushings?

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

No. I doubt an OBD2 will tell you a glow plug is bad. I never even tried because I tested the plugs myself always. My theory would be that the OBD2 scanner would only work if it is throwing a check engine code with the CEL light. Not the glow plug light on the dash.

Check your alignment. Being it was driven a lot constantly it could be out of alignment. BTW if you do get an alignment, take it to the dealer. They have the correct equipment and knowledge of how to get it spot on. I am privileged with a great break at the dealer because my old man was a tech there for 3 decades, but if I don't do my own alignment at the time I still take it there knowing I won't have to return or have a mistake made.

My best advice regarding the suspension is:
Get it on a lift and inspect it yourself eye to eye. Get under it because I can tell you my diesel doesn't ride like the W210 suspension I rebuilt awhile ago on a 99 E320. I have 160K miles on the clock so once 175K rolls around I will do a front end rebuild.

Well I am getting a check engine light type deal so there is probably a code. I'm going to get my reader soon.

I'm getting tires at the wholesale club then I am going to get it aligned at an Indy shop recommended by my Mercedes parts Indy.


Front end rebuild. Fun. What is the scope of the recommend front end rebuild for a w210

upper and lower control arms, shocks, tie rod ends and rack and pinion wear parts like bushings and wheel bearings? Looks like it might be easier then a 124

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

So I'm guessing I might need lower control arm bushings. Will have to get it on a lift and see

__________________
My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Easiest way to test glow plugs is by removing the cover of the pre-glow relay, unplugging the 6-pin connector, and measuring the resistance to ground of each pin. That checks both the glow plug and the wiring. Resistance should be less than 1 Ohm. Bad glow plugs will measure hundreds of Ohms or infinity. Even a cheap meter will work because you can compare the readings; a bad glow plug will stand out by having a reading different from the others.

Some of the glow plugs can be replaced by removing only the crossover; #6 is the worst, being buried under the manifold and behind the oil filter canister.

Jeremy

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970