How long do the engine mounts last on the 124 chasis with the OM 603 engine? I know the 123 engine mounts need regular replacement but the 124 seems to have a newer/better design. The reason I ask is that I've noted a slight bit more vibration at idle and am wondering if the mounts might be the cause. They look good but I don't know how old they are. Are the 124 mounts better and not a regular replacement item like on the 123? Thanks for the input.

__________________
LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

The best thing to do is just inspect them VS guessing.

The mounts collapse when the rubber fails and the glycol leaks out.

Visible symptoms of failure are:

Glycol (sticky oily stuff with very little odor) all over the lower part of the mount and frame

Less than 1" or so clearance between the largest diameter of the mount and the frame

Trapezoidal steel fitting on the bottom not visible on the bottom.

The left side is easy, right side requires access from underneath, its directly under the turbo and there is NO way to get to it from the top.

I'd bet they are both flat, and I'd consider replacing the rear tranny mount too!

Watch for the hole in the frame right next to the bottom engine mount bolt -- it's possible to "fumble" the bolt and drop it into the frame section, and it's a real bear to get back out.....

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I finally got around to replacing my engine mounts on the 124. The drivers side was still in good shape but the mount under the turbo was totally gone. The funny thing is that it looked pretty good and there was no sign of leaking but it had in fact leaked all the fluid out, probably some time ago. I tried to get a look at it from under the car and it looked like it was OK. It was only when I removed the mount that it was obvious that it was bad. The new mounts make a HUGE difference. This was clearly a case where you don't notice the gradual change as they go bad but immediately notice the improvement after they're replaced. Moral of the story is that if you feel vibration from your 603 engine at idle and you haven't replaced the mounts because they look OK, check 'em again.

__________________
LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold