w123 230ce

[christopher1981]

i have just bought a 1985 230 ce milage of 145000
since purchasing i have replaced the air filter spark plugs, oil & filter
and topped up the gearbox fluid, and a number of fuses (which fixed alot of problems namly no horn! )

the problem i have is that when the engine revs are high, say over 3000
in any gear, there seems to be a loud rattly type noise from the engine.
which means i can't cruise at any speed above 65 - 70 without this background noise which get louder as the revs get faster.

i thought an oil change would solve this but has only ade a slight difference, there seems to be no noise at tickover?

what could it be, somthing to do with the valves?

 

[Birdman]

Piston Slap? Big ends? Valves? It would be a bit surprising at 145,000. But then if the car is 21 years old... Perhaps only the timing chain?

Chap I knew tells me he ran a non-franchised mercedes dealership and taxi hire company in the bad old days. He put 50,000 a year on each of the taxi fleet and after two-and-half years with the odometer once around the clock and showing 25,000 he would sell them off privately. It was better than any Brit car with the same miles he said. Probably true but his dealership didn't survive. Maybe yours has a little more than 145K on it.
Put a stethoscope on it and listen while a friend revs it up. A hosepipe will do. Sorry, I don't seem to be of much help here.

 

[Ian B Walker]

I would seriously look at the timing chain first. It may just be a case of the tensioner being worn. I know the cowboys favourite trick is to take it out, weld a blob on the end then screw it back. AND before anyone says anything, I do not condone that

 

[Dieselman]

He put 50,000 a year on each of the taxi fleet and after two-and-half years with the odometer once around the clock and showing 25,000 he would sell them off privately. It was better than any Brit car with the same miles he said. Probably true but his dealership didn't survive. Maybe yours has a little more than 145K on it.

Hmm. Don't all MB show the extra digit. This might work on a Ford but not an MB.

 

[christopher1981]

the mileage is genuine, and the timing chain was replace at 100'000,
driving today and its only over 3000 revs up until then its dead quiet,
i don't wanna take it to any old garage, and i can't seem to find a merc specialist near were i live. (hoddesdon, hertfordshire)

might just take it some where for there opinion

 

[Birdman]

Hmm. Don't all MB show the extra digit. This might work on a Ford but not an MB.

Well, I don't know about the 1985 model owned by the original questioner, he can tell us, but you can be sure it applied to the earlier cars my acquaintance referred to.
The point is, the odometer on an old car usually tells only part of the story!

Have we got to the source of the rattle, I wonder?

 

[christopher1981]

I would seriously look at the timing chain first. It may just be a case of the tensioner being worn. I know the cowboys favourite trick is to take it out, weld a blob on the end then screw it back. AND before anyone says anything, I do not condone that

How would i tell if it is the timing chain, is there much taking apart involved?

 

[Ian B Walker]

whip off the rocker cover and look at the front of the engine. You will see the timing chain at the front going over two gears. Hold the chain over one of the two gears and pull it. It shouldnt move. push it back and forth and look for any slackness over the sprockets. Hope the helps

 

[christopher1981]

whip off the rocker cover and look at the front of the engine. You will see the timing chain at the front going over two gears. Hold the chain over one of the two gears and pull it. It shouldnt move. push it back and forth and look for any slackness over the sprockets. Hope the helps

excellent, roll on the weekend!
thanks

 

[grober]

Timing Chain Or timing Chain Tensioner /guide Problem??

 

[christopher1981]

Timing Chain Or timing Chain Tensioner /guide Problem??

think it may be the tensioner/guide? have not inspected yet

 

[grober]

YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT http://diymbrepair.com/ AND http://www.w123-world.org/w123-world.org/

 

[jaymanek]

The guides are a common problem on this engine, bit of a pig to do, so might want to find a qualified mechanic if it is this...