1989 300e won't start and clanks when I keep cranking

[CHolland]

Yikes! Had a mechanic look at the car today 1989 300e sedan because it wouldn't start... and clanks when I keep trying. Battery has been re-charged. He says the fuel, spark etc are okay, and thinks it is a valve that's not working... This is expensive.. and do I believe him? It was working fine and then parked for a month. Any help or alternate theories would be much appreciated.

 

[Ian Brown]

A valve away wont cause the car not to start but will cause misfiring after started

 

[CHolland]

That's good to know.. thanks ... any idea why it won't start?

 

[landspeed]

Timing Belt

Have you checked to see if the timing belt is still in place? (Assuming these engines have belts rather than chains, although chains can also snap).

The easiest way to see the belt is in once piece is to remove the oil filler cap, and crank the engine. You should see the camshafts / valve gear operating. If it is not, then timing belt (cambelt) has snapped.

 

[andy_k]

it's a chain not a belt and it's unlikely it's snapped but you can check by looking through the oil filler hole to see if the valves are working.

The "clanking" is hard to even guess at without actually hearing it

Andy

 

[CHolland]

car won't start

Hi Guys..

Wanted to thank you for taking the time to reply. It turns out that there was some condensation in the distributor cap. I cleaned that out, changed the spark plugs and voila! a running car. $24 . The clanking is now a ticking that is coming from a lifter? and could be replaced, but since the car is an '89 and the ticking stops after the engine warms up I'm not too worried about it. What do you think? Should I be taking preventative action?

Will try to improve my "car talk".

CHolland
'89 300e Sedan

 

[C220GJS]

Do an engine oil and filter change, use a good quality semi-synthetic oil.Every possibility your noisy tappet will fill up and quieten down.
Geo.