w124 230te engine/gearbox questions

[marbellapinky]

Firstly...hello

I have recently inherited out families 100% reliable 'van'- a 1992 model 230te auto in almondine red, once cleaned up looks stunning....it has no broken bits.

I've been driving it for 3 months now and have decided to keep it forever. We've owned it for 7 years, covered nearly 100,000 miles in it- Now on 207,000

If im keeping it in the long term (which i will be) ive got some queries-

A)
The transmission is jerky when pushed, but the fluid is at the right level and still looks new, it doesnt slip between changes at all and changes between D + R quick enough. It also drives forward a bit more than id like with no throttle.
-I'm expecting it to need a rebuild given the mileage, but considering it hasnt had a filter change in 100,000 miles.....could this be the source of the problems?

Is it going to give up on me and leave me stranded?

Also....

B)
Its has a duplex timing chain, the engine runs perfectly smoothly and quietly- but (only after starting from more than 2 days of standing) it is quite noisy for 2 seconds, as soon as a little oil pressure is built, its fine, is also fine if its started from cold after being used the day before- The car still has almost full oil pressure at idle when hot!
-Any ideas how much longer this is going to last, i hope its not on its way out.

Also....

C)
There is a fair amount of driveline shunt, could this be due to a worn axle (sounds a bit winey), propshaft joint, the transmission (as mentioned before)- or a combination of all 3. If it helps, there is a clunk at the back when you go between D+R.

Any thoughts?
Not major concerns, they are the only issues i need to address to make the car perfect- not bad considering 207,000miles and 30,000mile oil change intervals (treated as a van)

Thanks in advance

 

[jibcl500]

Firstly...hello


A)
The transmission is jerky when pushed, but the fluid is at the right level and still looks new, it doesnt slip between changes at all and changes between D + R quick enough. It also drives forward a bit more than id like with no throttle.
-I'm expecting it to need a rebuild given the mileage, but considering it hasnt had a filter change in 100,000 miles.....could this be the source of the problems?

Wouldnt hurt to do a filter and oil change on the box, but if it is the original box then it could time for a new one.


B)
Its has a duplex timing chain, the engine runs perfectly smoothly and quietly- but (only after starting from more than 2 days of standing) it is quite noisy for 2 seconds, as soon as a little oil pressure is built, its fine, is also fine if its started from cold after being used the day before- The car still has almost full oil pressure at idle when hot!

Give the engine a filter and oil change, sounds like hydraulic lifters to me, nothing to worry about just a little worn, you might find an oil change will do the trick, some recommend using something to flush out all the old oil and muck but research that first I wouldnt do it because it might move something large and block an oil way. Even using a different grade of oil might help the rattle but see what others think and assess it from there. Only use MB filters!!


There is a fair amount of driveline shunt, could this be due to a worn axle (sounds a bit winey), propshaft joint, the transmission (as mentioned before)- or a combination of all 3. If it helps, there is a clunk at the back when you go between D+R.

Rubber dougnuts between the props and diff flange cheap enough from MB and easy to fit, whiny diff not uncommon, you could try fresh oil and something to quiten it down a little but long term you will need a dif, you might see the diff go for another 100k.
Might be worth finding a good indie in your area and pop it in for them to assess.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance

Other than that sounds like a nice motor, Im looking for one at the moment.

jib

 

[marbellapinky]

Other than that sounds like a nice motor, Im looking for one at the moment.

jib

Thanks, i always knew it was a good car, but ive really fallen for it now

Im only 21, will be interesting to see what people will think when i start uni in september- Did i mention i live in spain?

It never has a chance of getting dirty with all the sunshine

Just got to keep parking it in the shade

 

[Bolide]

I'd change the gearbox oil as it does prolong the life of the box. I expect it'll keep going for a few years yet

Harsh gearchanges are often caused by the box but there are lots of rubber components in the drivetrain and, as they wear, they contribute to the problem

I'd look at engine & gearbox mounts, diff mounts and propshaft doughnuts. If the car clunks between R and D I'd also look at worn rear suspension links - with the footbrake on, if the rear wheels move fore & aft when shifting R - N - D then look at the suspension arm bushes

Good news is that none of this is particularly expensive

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[wireman]

Not changing the engine mounts when the prop shaft couplings are changed may result in the prop shaft couplings being changed twice.
Considering the age of the car it may be that your transmission control cable needs adjusting, take care to adjust it with all the slack due to wear in the throttle linkages taken up.