I have my 1994 S320 at a indie shop having the water pump and fan clutch replaced. I bought the parts and they agreed to install both for 318.00. I thought I would be getting my car back in great shape since its the last thing on a long list of problems I have had to deal with, but I received a call that there was an added problem. According to the shop, my idle bearing was completely shot....??? Anyone knowabout this part, and what it actually controls. They said the part would be 300.00. I asked if it was possible to leave it out for now, and they said that they would have to replace if the fan clutch and water pump were to be of any good use....Is all this true? I have never heard of this part, and I did a search on this forum trying to find...no luck...Please let me know...perhaps it goes by a different name?

All I know is that with the parts, this trip to the shop is nearing 1K!!!!!!!! For a car that isnt worth 10K anymore.....ARRRRRGHHHHH...Ive put around 4K in the past 6 months not counting this time...(evaporator, head gasket, wiring harness, etc) And this is the final straw....I am ready to get rid of this money pit.

Thanks for any help!

Carlos

__________________
1994 S320
131K miles

1998 ML 320
126K miles

1994 Blue C220
122K miles

Im going to Grad School @ the University of Iowa
Go Hawkeyes!!!

They are probably talking about belt tensioner. That part cost around 120 and is an easy diy job. You can do it yourself. You probably made a mistake by bringing the car to a place that does not work on Mercedes . I am 99% sure that they have damaged the belt tensioner by overthigting the allen bolt, and now they will blame on the age of the car ( a credible situation also)
Also after all the work that was done on the car I would like to buy it from you. So my advise is to take the car from there asap and do the tensioner before they will damage other thinks. My tensioner is still good at 191K with 3 belts changed during its life, but I have done it the careful way.
After all the work that was done on the car I would like to buy it from you.

__________________
New Addition to the family
2013 Passat TDI 5Miles
2004 E500 4MATIC Wagon 95k
1996 E300 Diesel 173k Sold
1993 300E 2.8 230k Sold
1994 E320 White Wagon 373K Sold
Still dreaming about ....500E


Radu Negru

Hello...Thanks for the response. I already approved the repair, so Im going to suck it up one more time and eat the repair....As far as the car goes, I love this body style immensely, but being a struggling grad student, I cant afford it any longer....If you are interested in the car, I am ready to part with it.....I failed to mention the 600+ dollars in tires I just put on it too...Goodyear assurance...less than 3K miles....Let me tell you the little things I havent gotten around to fixing:
The driver side seat belt, which is locked in fully extended position. Not a big deal, and I use it anyway...just doesnt have tension. It makes the SRS light stay on for about 20 sec after car is started, and then goes off.
Center arm rest - It is worn(left sunroof open one day and water got on it) Not torn, but leather is rough...Still usable.

A couple of small dents, nothing too noticeable, and there is a crack on front bumper dam...on bottom from one of those parking humps. I pulled up and when I backed out, it caught on the plastic bumper a little....not really noticeable, but thought I should point out....I can take detailed photos for anyone that is interested.

I still owe on the car, so my ideal situation would be to get payoff...Im not exactly sure what payoff was, but I think it was right at 9K....Any takers? If not, I guess I will have to keep her....

Oh, the car is champagne with tan interior....lovely color scheme. No other modifications have been done.

Evaporator, wiring harness, EGR valve, head gasket, rebuilt compressor, ac drier(new), new plug wire set, right rear bearing replaced(500), upper and lower control arms, steering link bushings, and other things im sure Im forgetting. Vacuum pump is original, but it works great...closing assist. All other functions work well.

Thanks,
Carlos

__________________
1994 S320
131K miles

1998 ML 320
126K miles

1994 Blue C220
122K miles

Im going to Grad School @ the University of Iowa
Go Hawkeyes!!!

To be onest with you I was joking about buying it( I have my w124 and I will have w124 forever), but you can get more than 9k for it. I am sure someone on the forum will be intereted in it. With all the repairs car is worted a lot more. This car will last a long time. My advice is not to sell it. A good friend of mine ( salesperson) was in the same position, s320 SWB around 120K with over $8k in repairs and he was thinking about getting rid of it. I told him the same think an he was keeping it until ....hold your breath... 445k on the original engine and the updated gasket, only with minor repairs (brakes,plugs,...etc). Finaly the trany gave up a couple of months ago ad he is going to fix it.
So don't rush and think over.

__________________
New Addition to the family
2013 Passat TDI 5Miles
2004 E500 4MATIC Wagon 95k
1996 E300 Diesel 173k Sold
1993 300E 2.8 230k Sold
1994 E320 White Wagon 373K Sold
Still dreaming about ....500E


Radu Negru