Hi all,

Immediately after resolving a "cold start" problem, (thanks to the good advice of this forum) I began hearing a noise after startup.

The noise turned out to be my starter. This morning the noise came again, I turn the car off and the noise continued coming from the starter. (souneded like the starter motor was continuing to run) this went on for at least 5 minutes.

I took a short handled hammer and whacked it once and she shut off.
I started the car again, and the noise was NOT present this time.

Is it time for a new starter? I think this one is original.

(1982 240d, 186,000)

I have done many starter replacements in the past, but never on MB,
Is the job straight forward? Any advice?

Also, this car does not have a BLOCK Heater. I would love to install one. I understand MB heaters are located behind the starter.

An MB shop owner told me that there may be some risk of cracking the block while removing the freeze plug.
Anybody have any experiece/stories or thoughts on this?
The job would be done with the car on ramps, (on my cold driveway)

Aside from informing my wife of the needed repair funds, the block heater job concerns me a bit.