distributor follower
 

1986 300E -M103

I'm changing out the radiator and some tranny cooling lines so I thought this would be a good time to address my front upper cover leak.

I am almost there but the distributor follower won't come off.

Is there a trick or is it just seized and I need to really bang and bust it out of there.

soak it with penetrating oil and bang away.

Dam somebody
 

engine 103 983 12 032128
This is what is supposed to be on there:
http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/F202126565OES.JPG
...and this is what 'somebody' put on it:
http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/F202171682OES.JPG
Do I need to be carefull about the way I bang and pry on the end of the cam there? (first timer)

Did you remove the bolt?
 

This is probably something only I could do but there is a bolt that holds that in place. Did you remove it? The second picture that you have looks like the replacement that they sent me to replace the one that I broke to pieces before realizing that it was bolted on.

Good luck.

I did... and I hope yours is not wedged in there now as well.

There is an engine differentiation on the two types.

I will probably end up useing a pickle fork on it and end up ordering new parts to put back in.

pickle fork sounds scary!
 

Since the thing is banged up anyway, what about breaking the ears off and using small vise grips or similar and pulling the pieces out. Once part of it is out hopefully it will loosen up. I would be afraid of the amount of lateral pressure a pickle fork would put on your seals.

As for my replacement I test fit it and put a little anti-sieze before bolting it up.

Engine difference
 

Marty,

I've been thinking about your comment about the engine differences and now I am worried because I have been chasing a rough idle since doing my head and replacing the cam follower. How did you determine that this was the wrong part? I have my engine number written somewhere but I can't find it right now.

If you call an MB (dealer) parts desk with your vin they can give you your engine #.

This is where it specifys the relationship between your engine # and the correct part:
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1FX0MB1RS1V90WC2SL&year=1986&make=MB&model=300-E-002&category=F&part=Distributor+Rotor+Adptr&appEngines=_any

In the pictures there appears to be a flange in the end of one version that I begin to suspect is causing the sticking.

How's your idle now?
 

Thanks, I'll give them a call when I get home.

I thought of something else that may loosen it up. I you could slide something in the center hole that would fit snug (extension maybe) and then tap it from the top and sides if it is kinked this may free it up.

How has your idle been with the wrong one in there? Of course I am assuming we have the same engine.

I not 100% sure it's the cause of my problem yet but if it is it must be in there pretty straight... it hasn't been changed since I got the car (75,000 miles) and the idle has been fine from time to time. ;)

I suppose that if it were to be slightly cocked it could cause a spark problem though.

Now that I know I'm going to be damaging stuff I'm sure I'll find a way.

Anybody have any experience with the interchangeability of these to parts?

soaked it in PB Bust loose yester AM and again in evening, then gentle steady prying with the pickle fork from a variety of angles got it out ok, though broken.

I'll report back when I get the new part if they measure differently.

Glad you got it out. Does it look like it was just gunk sticking it in there or more like it is the incorrect one?
I am still trying to find out if I have the correct one, dealer was no help so I sent Phil an e-mail.

Both the shaft and the socket have a nice oil varnish on them so it could be that it was just stuck. When my new one arrives I will compare the two to see if there is a fit difference.

They are different.
 

The new part came. The new distributor rotor adapter (the correct one) is 1 or 2 mm shorter and 1 or 2 mm narower than the one that was in there. It fits loosely into the cam... I suppose I will have to get the correct bolt now as well.

PS I cant wait to see if there is a runing difference.