W210 bad motor mounts, can I drive on them? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

muleears · #1 11-10-2007, 06:36 PM

I have just determined that my car (98 W210 Turbodiesel) needs the motor mounts replaced. I have several symptoms: excessive motion of the motor, louder engine noise inside the car, vibration in the steering wheel, I haven't measured them but they look squished too. I have to take a long trip next week, is it going to hurt anything to drive the car with worn mounts? Can I damage the flexplate or trans. mount? I need to drive about 1500 mi. and I don't know how long these mounts have needed attention. Any input is appreciated.

JimSmith · #2 11-10-2007, 06:44 PM

I believe it has been noted that the failed engine mounts can cause the serpentine belt tensioner to fail. Other than that I am not certain there is a concern. I would expect excessive motion to eventually cause some problems between the exhaust system and the connections to the flange that moves with the engine. Jim

guage · #3 11-10-2007, 07:10 PM

I'd recommend changing them out. Thats roughly 22 hrs of driving time.
New mounts well push everything back to proper alignment.

Nordon · #4 11-10-2007, 07:59 PM

1500 miles is a long way to go, its worth spending half a day to replace them. Its really redeeming to start the car up after they are replaced too, you remember how quiet your car is supposed to be!

muleears · #5 11-10-2007, 08:02 PM

Jim, I think its too late for my tensioner. Thats already on my repair list.

TMAllison · #6 11-10-2007, 08:09 PM

I drove mine a lot farther than 1500 miles on partially collapsed mounts before figuring out they were the cause of a vibration which appeared at the tensioner.

IIRC I went through one pivot arm, 3 damper shocks, 1 or 2 tensioner springs and a couple of stretched out belts.

Mine was worse when cold at idle. Mostly went away once hot. If you're going to drive long distances that wouldnt be as much an issue.

The tensioner and damper bolts require a 13mm & 11mm wrench. Hmm, I think thats is the only time I've ever used an 11mm wrench....

JimSmith · #7 11-10-2007, 08:22 PM

The most obvious and technically sound approach is to replace the mounts. Not a big deal, really, and the change is really gratifying. But the question as I heard it was "can" he drive the car 1500 miles with collapsed mounts without causing other damage? I think the fact that we have all driven our cars until we noticed something was amiss means we have all driven them for some time with degraded and degrading mounts, then likely with completely crushed ones for an unknown period of time. The only adverse consequence I have read documented here is the belt tensioner failure. I also believe the next biggest or obvious concern is the connection between the exhaust system and the engine at the point where the two support systems meet.

Given the opportunity to change the mounts out, definitely don't hesitate and do the job. If you don't have the time, I doubt the car is not going to make 1500 miles because the mounts are flat. Jim

muleears · #8 11-10-2007, 08:55 PM

Sounds like I'll be OK then. I just cannot change them before I leave on monday.

raMBow · #9 11-10-2007, 10:53 PM

When you get the mounts, it is an easy job. Can't recall, would have to check my past posts, but seemed like an hour job when I did it. Way easier than anticipated.

Jeremy5848 · #10 11-11-2007, 02:31 AM

My '96 E300D was driven for 24,000 miles by the third owner (almost two years) with 'flat' motor mounts. I guess he didn't want to spend $358.88 (in February 2006) to replace them, 'cause the car became mine two weeks ago, still with the flat motor mounts.

Driving with bad motor mounts? -- it can be done ("If you have the right stuff," as Tom Wolfe wrote). It is not, however, recommended. Other expensive things will inevitably be damaged. I replaced those bad motor mounts this past Wednesday for $111.30 in parts and a few hours of my time. The motor now sits about 3/4 inch higher!

Incidentally, when the motor mounts were reported bad, the serpentine belt tensioner was also found to be damaged; that at least was fixed at that time (February 2006).

Jeremy

muleears · #11 11-11-2007, 04:37 AM

My tensioner is making noise also. As a matter of fact, I replaced the gas strut on it a month ago hoping that was what was making noise. I helped but didn't solve it. Will it quiet down with new mounts or is it already bad?

TMAllison · #12 11-11-2007, 01:09 PM

Cal - During my bad mount nightmare I overheated a damper or two (they lose resistance) and melted the lower bushing on another.

They have little resistance new when extending but ~25-30lbs when contracting.