CRH71
Senior Member
So, for my sins (which appear numerous) I have a C250TD Estate, 1998 (S), auto, now 169,000 miles.
Lovely car but being spoiled by very un-Benz-like vibrations and noises at times.
I suspect (and it is only suspect) that an engine mount is less than good, as when she's cold, there is a fairly significant "vibration" that travels throughout the car - BUT it can be considerably lessened (to the point of not noticing it) by easing off on the loud pedal - to me, it feels like the trans mount COULD be a bit "iffy" and is allowing the trans to rest on the crossmember transmitting the engine vibration to the car.
Second little issue (and, probably linked with the above) is the sound of a "bearing" noise at anything over about 25-30mph - at 70 it's pretty loud (reminds me of a wheel bearing fault, but it doesn't worsen with left or right-hand turns) and can be revved through (bring her up to 80-85, or drop back to 65 and the noise all-but disappears - it's still faintly audible, but it is tolerable for one with a modicum of mechanical sympathy). Bear in mind that I rarely have the radio/CD on - hearing issues make it better for me to listen to the 'car sounds' rather than music or radio.
This has come at probably THE worst time that it could. MOT's due (and I'm pretty sure she'll fail) and I left work three months ago to become a full-time carer which has impacted on our cashflow somewhat.
I'm semi-handy with a set of sockets (OK, confession time, I'm a buffoon with a shiny tool set...) and could nip down to my mate's, 20 miles away and borrow his well-equipped garage with engine crane etc., but obviously don't want to do this until I'm certain of the problem and what it's likely to cost me.
I did have a local indy quote me for replacing engine and gearbox mounts (they did the coolant and thermostat for me a couple of weeks back) but when the potential bill was mentioned at around £450 my wallet curled up in fright.
I'd thought at first that the axle was causing the issue (she's got 169,000 on the clock and I suspect she's been used for a lot of towing by the last two POs) so I got the indy to check it over - they confirmed that it is leaking, very slightly, from the two side seals and the level was fractionally low so they topped it up for me FOC and confirmed that the leakage seemed acceptable for the age and mileage of the car.
Tyres are Vreidstein (sp?) all round and about half-worn. No visible abnormal wear patterns.
Any clues, anyone?
Lovely car but being spoiled by very un-Benz-like vibrations and noises at times.
I suspect (and it is only suspect) that an engine mount is less than good, as when she's cold, there is a fairly significant "vibration" that travels throughout the car - BUT it can be considerably lessened (to the point of not noticing it) by easing off on the loud pedal - to me, it feels like the trans mount COULD be a bit "iffy" and is allowing the trans to rest on the crossmember transmitting the engine vibration to the car.
Second little issue (and, probably linked with the above) is the sound of a "bearing" noise at anything over about 25-30mph - at 70 it's pretty loud (reminds me of a wheel bearing fault, but it doesn't worsen with left or right-hand turns) and can be revved through (bring her up to 80-85, or drop back to 65 and the noise all-but disappears - it's still faintly audible, but it is tolerable for one with a modicum of mechanical sympathy). Bear in mind that I rarely have the radio/CD on - hearing issues make it better for me to listen to the 'car sounds' rather than music or radio.
This has come at probably THE worst time that it could. MOT's due (and I'm pretty sure she'll fail) and I left work three months ago to become a full-time carer which has impacted on our cashflow somewhat.
I'm semi-handy with a set of sockets (OK, confession time, I'm a buffoon with a shiny tool set...) and could nip down to my mate's, 20 miles away and borrow his well-equipped garage with engine crane etc., but obviously don't want to do this until I'm certain of the problem and what it's likely to cost me.
I did have a local indy quote me for replacing engine and gearbox mounts (they did the coolant and thermostat for me a couple of weeks back) but when the potential bill was mentioned at around £450 my wallet curled up in fright.
I'd thought at first that the axle was causing the issue (she's got 169,000 on the clock and I suspect she's been used for a lot of towing by the last two POs) so I got the indy to check it over - they confirmed that it is leaking, very slightly, from the two side seals and the level was fractionally low so they topped it up for me FOC and confirmed that the leakage seemed acceptable for the age and mileage of the car.
Tyres are Vreidstein (sp?) all round and about half-worn. No visible abnormal wear patterns.
Any clues, anyone?