I can't believe it. The original wiper motor lasted 22 years.

About 2 years ago, I put in a refurbished mono wiper motor that I got from Auto Zone. It's hard to get to that area, and hard to put in. I put it in, and it wasn't as quiet as the original, but it was in and I was done with the job. About 6 months later I had to replace my a/c blower motor so while I had that all out I took the mono wiper motor back for another one hoping it'd be quieter.

I put that 2nd refurb wiper motor in, a Bosch one this time, and it was quieter. All was well until today. I'm driving along in the rain, and the wiper stops in mid swing, stuck in the center of the windshield. I turned it off, but what I didn't know was that it was trying to get back to its home position so a short time later I smelled smoke. I pulled into a gas station, open the hood, and a fair amount of smoke is coming out of the engine area by the wiper.

Great. Just great. I'm in a rain storm. No wiper, smoke coming out of the wiper compartment, smoke smell in the car, and it's on a Sunday at 5 PM on my way to an appointment.

Pretty mad, I called Auto Zone and asked who refurbs their wipers. I forget who he said so I'll call back tomorrow (I've since confirmed it's Cardone). They will definitely be hearing from me. The refurb company is probably saying "We found out how to refurb them for less, and so long as they fail outside the warranty period, we could care less because we're making more money than ever".

I can't believe a refurb would only last 1 1/2 years?? For something that is hard to put in? This is an outrage.

Be sure to check all your grounds on the car.....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

One large rebuilder is A1-Cardone. Their stuff is very hit and miss. I bought a remanned steering rack for my 78 Datsun Z for less that the inner tie rods would have cost. Fortunately, it was a good rack. I suspect they are NLA. There is not much call for 78Z parts. Other stuff...well, you get to practice installing all for free. Such a deal.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Yep, I found my receipt and it was Cardone. The funny thing is, I'm now looking for a brand new one online, and they're about the same price as a rebuilt one. I'm shocked this only lasted only 1 1/2 years AND that it started smoking. Wow. This is bad.