1995 C280 shake and drip... anecdote
 

This is for the Archive info base.

My 95 C280 with 76,100 miles began to shake at idle and in all gears.
I did the foot on brake/ shift thru gears test for motor mounts and saw no engine movement.
No CEL light either.

My mechanic was convinced that the shaking was due to the motor mounts which appear to have been beginning to degenerate.

Turns out that it was the coil pack for the #4 cylinder.
(3 coil packs are present for the six spark plugs)

The DTC code reader revealed this more accurate diagnosis.

Got a new coil pack, new plugs (35K interval) and resistor and new motor mounts (premature but done anyway but I can see the slight engine position difference).

Unfortunately I also spotted that dreaded water drip down the oil pan while inspecting the engine mounts from below sans plastic belly pan.

The water pump had been replaced about 20K miles (3 yrs ago). I forget what brand it was.

It was replaced with a new GRAF water pump.
Turns out that the MBZ dealer re-manufactured ones were also Graf ($289). It cost less to but a new Graf. And the OEM dealer new cost alot ($499).

The original OEM water pump lasted about 35K miles.

The car gets the coolant replaced every 2 years with MBZ coolant.
Dang these lousy pumps don't last.


Anyway the car operates smooth as silk now. Oh yeah had him replace the OEM thermostat while he was in there just for the heck of it.

So, this info is for the archive which lacked an anecdote for a 1995 C280 shakes.:)


p.s. when DIY removing the metal cover over the spark plugs and coils, be careful not to strip the sometimes tight hex bolts.
5 MM hex I believe. There is always one that does not want to release.:)