Bong!

[nmacc]

OK, I'll admit that I'm being lazy here, I should crawl under and check this out before bothering folks, but I've been a tad under the weather for a week or so, so I'm taking the easy way out.

As my 93 220TE has done a big end bearing :cry:, I've had to source another and I picked up another 93 220TE in Bristol last week. It's better than the original with 57k less on the clock, so I'm going to keep her.

She has an exhaust blow which will need sorting for the test, but she also makes a very strange noise. About 20 seconds after turning off the engine she makes a very loud BONG from the rear; it also sometimes does this about 30-40 seconds after first starting and pulling off, but it seems to be quieter .

Initially I thought it was the self-levelling as it first happened when I had about 250kg in the rear, but it also happens with only the driver on board. I don't think it's a vacuum in the fuel tank as the cap behaves normally with it's usual 'psst'.

Any suggestions from the collective expertise?

Thanks

 

[Bolide]

Bent SLS strut? I've heard a possibly similar noise on an old BX

A bit far-fetched, though, I will admit!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[sms78]

Its not one of the exhaust boxes or a heat shield expanding with the heat? Ive had it before with a back box which was rusted through . It went thin like a coke can and used to dent in and then pop out with the heat .

 

[meanie]

Sounds as if the fuel tank breather system could be inop-pull up & remove the filler cap & see if it still happens.

 

[meanie]

Just read your post all the way through!!!
I had a similar problem on a 300E last week & thought I was clever(it mended the 300 tho.).

 

[nmacc]

Its not one of the exhaust boxes or a heat shield expanding with the heat? Ive had it before with a back box which was rusted through . It went thin like a coke can and used to dent in and then pop out with the heat .

So far this seems to be the most likely. The bent SLS strut is still a possibility, but I've crawled underneath and all seems sound, albeit a lot more rusty than the almost pristine bodywork would suggest.

Unfortunately with 550 miles since I bought it last week I've just noticed an outbreak of salad cream in the expansion bottle and only 128k on the clock!

Not my day really as my work van has just had it's window broken; nothing stolen, just pure vandalism. The second time in 8 months.