must be 300te trouble time, help please.

[Mike Buley]

I have just had a new tensioner unit, and belt put on my 300te, part of the job included removing the radiator, and shroud to get at the front of the engine.
Smashing job by the garage, ran marvellously, until half wayup the m5 the top hose of the radiator came off, emptied my cooling system immediately, causing a cloud of steam, large amounts of panic, and rapid overheat. I pulled into the side before the engine heat became critical, replaced the hose, and refilled (wife to rescue)
The garage in fairness accepted full responsibility and have stated that if the head gasket is cooked, and any further damage done, they would replace free of charge. (Quite unusual really)
However, I am not sure if I am imagining it but the car now feels like it is slightly shuddering when moving, as if you can feel every bump on the road, or is it slightly misfiring?
Could the damp have got into the leads, distributor etc causing this?
I have noticed the idling, never smooth is now just over 500 rpm and certainly not nice at tickover (lumpover?)
Plus the car is steaming up nicely inside.
Help will be most appreciated.
Mike. :lol:

 

[dave elcome]

Mike.

It looks to me like everything under the bonnet got drenched, some of the multi plugs have really small connections, and would only require the smallest amount of water ingress to up set them.

If i were you, i'd get it back to the garage and ask them to give all the conections a blow through with the air jet, and then a coating of WD40, then try it from there.

Don't leave it to long, or put too many miles on it, or that will give them an exit strategy from their pledge.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mike Buley]

Took it to the garage this morning, they had a good poke about, and found the inside of the distributor cap a bit wet, so with lots of air hosing and wd40 ing later it seems to be back to as it was.

He did notice a split ignition lead, so I will be off to get a new set of those.

Ta for the help again Dave.

Mike. :lol:

 

[Holyman]

Let me know how much you pay for your leads and where you get them - my local dealer quoted me £200 for a set. I enede up paying £40 for pattern leads but I'm dubious about their quality.

 

[Andy]

Hi All

Pattern spark plugs leads usually cause more problems than they solve in the long term.

The actual lead costs £5.50 or so a meter. The little copper end is about .41p each. Two need for each lead. Its the lead ends that cost the money. Usually you can remove both ends. Plenty of wd40 before trying to twist them of.Right down to the end. Replace the dubious spark plug caps. If you have hard starting problems especially on 103 replace the HT lead. This way it will cost you the minimum amount of money usuing the original stuff. If you require the part numbers then give me a shout. You should only replace what you think is necessary or go the whole hog if money is no object. But changing everying in the hope of curing a problem will cost you more than if you booked it into a specialist.


Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Mike Buley]

Your replies all digested, thanks.
Andy you make a very good point, however, before I arrived at euro car parts the ****** top hose came off again, dumping the freshly filled coolant system all over the engine bay.
.
Brief refill later, off I went to the garage that fitted the new tensioner unit which started all the problems off.

The reason the hose keeps coming off seems to be that the neck of the rad is split which neccesitates a new one.

However, surprises will never cease, the proprietor said without prompting that he will foot the bill for a brand new radiator, and fitting,and coolant refill. Presumably the hose was fitted too tightly causing a crack, which is where the pressure released, off it popped. He has admitted liability, and the work will be done tomorrow. It just goes to show, some garages are pretty good when it comes to common sense.

With regard to the leads, Andy I will get in touch when the engine has dried off sufficiently to see if I need a dizzy cap and rotor arm as well.
I will keep you posted. Cheers.
Mike.

 

[Chopper773]

I think that sort of service deserves a name check

 

[Mike Buley]

Well, the work has been completed, a nice shiny new radiator, and coolant flush, the car was delivered back to me today by the garage.
Time will tell, just have to wait and see.
Even better was the fact that I havnt had to pay a penny for the extra work!!

I dont want to publish names etc as I wouldnt want to be guilty of advertising for the garage in question as I am not connected to them. However if any of you would like to know the garage concerned then feel free to email me. I cannot stress how good they have been by accepting responsibility for a fault which lets face it , could have happened to anyone.

My faith is restored in garages!!
Mike.

 

[Leylandp76]

Name of your garage

I'm fascinated, an ethical garage :wink: . If in London/SE area, can you please email me the name off list? (A.Roberts@imperial.ac.uk) thanks - Alistair