I have been trying to track down a strange noise that I encounter on my 93 190E 2.3. It only occurs when the car is at idle and is in gear (with brake depressed). It is almost a rattle (has that bouncy,spring rattle that you hear from a rod almost), it is worst when the car is cold and is placed in REVERSE (automatic). I used a wooden handle to listen to the top and bottom end and eliminated the engine itself (and there are no problems with driving or acceleration - engine is wonderfully smooth and powerful). While checking all of the accessories out on the engine, I found a disturbing amount of endplay in the PS pump (both wobble and in-and-out motion). Could a worn power steering pump possibly cause this noise?

Is there a fluid leak from the shaft seal? If not, l'd look elsewhere for the noise,
I would check the engine/trans mounts first, the hydraulic filled type are notorious for causing all sorts of strange noises and vibrations that will have you changing HT leads, spark plugs, sepentine belts/tensioners etc. etc. when it is just the mounts have reached the end of their usefulness.
Have a good weekend.

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Nachi11744

No leaks from the PS Pump seal, so I guess the pump is OK then. What you say about the motor mounts makes sense, especially noting that the noise is more pronounced in reverse than in forward (difference in which side mount gets loaded up). The passenger's side mount looks pretty straightforward to change out. How bad is the one on the driver's side to change out?

Thanks

Belt tensioner shock absorber on mine did that. I thought it was the timing chain! With the engine running and hearing the noise. Carefully place your hand of a wrench end on the belt tensioner's shock absorber and see if that gets your noise to go bye bye!

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~Jamie
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2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....