1997 E420, some questions...
 

Hello all. I just picked up a new to me 1997 E420 (125K), my first 210 body. I know all the ins and outs of the 124, so this is all new to me.

Here are my questions and concerns so far:

1. Intermittant tick in the engine. It seems to come and go. Although since I have changed the oil yesterday, it hasnt really been doing it lately. More on that to come. Could it be the infamous broken oil tube that the M119 is known for. If it was, wouldnt it be doing it ALL THE TIME, not just intermittant? When it does it, it is very loud and sounds like such a POS.

2. Shifter will only go to drive. Cant flick it over to 4, 3, 2, 1, etc. I might try and take it apart later and disect it. Perhaps something is jammed.

3. Pass ball joint is completely shot, and well as the drivers side outer tie rod. Are these both DIY jobs? I hear the ball joints are easy on the 210's, loosen bolts and wack with a hammer. How about the outer tie rod? All of the sway bar bushings/links are also getting replaced. It sounds like the front wheels are going to fall off when going over a bump.

4. previous owner ran 87 octane in it :(. Could tell by the pinging when I got on the gas. Ran some techron thru it and some good 93 octane. No more knocks and it actually has some power back. Im used to the M119 from my 92 400E, and when I first got it, my 400 was soo much quicker. But this new engine seems to be getter better everyday. Anything I should do more?

5. between 50 and 60 mph, front end shimmys pretty bad. Inspected control arm bushings and these seems to be ok. Nothing excessive anyways.

More to come, as I drive this car more often. So comfortable, I love it.

Thanks for all your help with these 210 newb.

andy

1) most likely a cam oiler tube, noise can come & go.

3) ball joints are that easy. Support lower arm.

Since it is a "northern car"..have the spring perches inspected closely!

MB Doc,

When I pull the cam covers off, will it be obvious as to which tube is defective? Ive read that the end's pop off on them, thus loosing pressure. The tick seems to be coming from the passenger side, although my mechanic swears its on the drivers side. Perhaps there are more than one bad. The tubes are around $15/each, so replacing all 32 of them is going to be expensive. Would you agree to just replace the ones that are bad? If I dont find a bad oil tube, is it possible it could be a bad cam follower? I had a cam follower go bad in my diesel.

thanks for your help.

Andy

Always replace ALL of the tubes on the head that is making the noise.

Once the valve cover is OFF there isn't much more time involved to replace all on that side!

Maybe a good idea! Do you know the part # for the plastic timing chain apparatus that has to come off to do the front most oiler tube?

MB Doc,

good advice on replacing all the oil tubes. I pulled the pass side cover last night, found 2 tubes blown out. I know the other side has a tick as well.

Thanks for your help!

+1 for inspecting the Spring Perches! Known to rust.

Spring perches are fine. Spent most of its life in Florida.

Does anyone know how to removal the center and passenger air vents from the dash? I wanted to replace the blown bulbs but cant seem to figure it out. I can get the bottom of the pass side one to start to come out, but the top seems like its secured by the wood trim?