Check your 320CDI Engine Mounts

[johnmc]

Folks,
If you have an S320CDI or E320CDI get your engine mounts checked regularly.

My brother in law just had them fail on his 5 year old S320CDI. It happens progressively, and
the result for Alan was total loss of his engine. He's lucky, as it was covered by a second hand car warranty, otherwise it would have him over 6 Grand!

Apparently the wear out mechanism is common on the S and E class cars, but the worst damage can be avoided by regular inspection.

I hope this helps someone avoid the problems!

John

 

[brandwooddixon]

It can be difficult to judge by visual inspection just how worn they may be, but thanks for the heads up.

I'm intrigued though, how did engine mount failure result in a total engine failure?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Sounds bizarre to me, even when completely collapsed I can't see what damage it would do.

 

[wireman]

Sounds a bit rum to me. A missaligned prop shaft could posibly eat its couplings if the engine sags as a result of duff mounts but to kill an engine, how?

When I replaced my mountings it was noticable that the engine cooling fan sat in the centre of the aperture in the plastic shroud fixed to the radiator, is this ecccentricity a good indicator that the front mounts could need attention?

 

[MIW615]

Folks,
If you have an S320CDI or E320CDI get your engine mounts checked regularly.

My brother in law just had them fail on his 5 year old S320CDI. It happens progressively, and
the result for Alan was total loss of his engine. He's lucky, as it was covered by a second hand car warranty, otherwise it would have him over 6 Grand!

Apparently the wear out mechanism is common on the S and E class cars, but the worst damage can be avoided by regular inspection.

I hope this helps someone avoid the problems!

John

What was the mileage - 5 years in nothing for a modern day mounting and I would also like to know how the engine was nearly totaled :-o:-o

 

[jberks]

I had them changed on mine at 2 years but that was due to vibration rather than any threat to the engine (270 rather than 320 admittedly).
I too can't think how a failed mount could kill the engine. Adter all, the bell housing will ensure that no strain is placed on the crank so the exhaust and prop would take any strain.

 

[rf065]

The post does say "total loss of his engine" and not engine failure, does he mean the engine fell out of the car, surely not?

Russ