I could use a little expertise here. My estranged wife called me today and asked if I was in a good mood. My immediate reply was"what did you do to my Mercedes" she says, it just quit, really. She was rolling up to a stop sign, came to a complete stop, actually more complete than what she was hoping for. The engine just quit from an idle. I was thinking that I finally had an opertunity to get my Mercedes back in MY possession. Hoping she had run it out of fuel I went to the garage where it had been towed and gave the owner the DON'T TOUCH MY CAR! speech. I dumped in 5 gallons of diesel fuel and well, that wasn't the problem. I tried to turn the engine over by hand and couldn't budge it. ( I don't know if I could before, I hadn't tried!) So I tried the starter and it just went, "clunk". It wont turn over, I tried jumping the battery ( hoping that the alternator had quit working) That wasn't it either. Now I'm guessing timing chain. I will look at that when I trailer it home in the daylight tomarrow a.m. Is this an interference engine, and could I have bent valves if it was the chain? Any other ideas what it might be. TIA for any and all advice. Tom

Check the oil level. Engine may have seized due to lack of oil. It sorta depends on how long she's had it - did it have an oil leak?

You didn't say which model so I don't know if it would have an oil gauge or an idiot light. Some people may not focus too often on the oil gauge.

I really hope this is not the problem for you. Good Luck - keep us posted on what happened and what you find.

Ken
'82 300D
308k and counting

No, you couldn't turn it over by hand.
Yes, it is an interference engine.
And, check the coolant level.
Didn't you get visitation rights on the car?

Hopefully, it is not as serious as the previous suggestions. I know you have not seen the car for while, but if the starter just clicks it could be that the selenoid on the starter is stuck.

Is this on the '83?

Good luck getting the car back and good luck getting it going.

Sorry guys, I had written a post including the year, model etc. Then I got disconnected and when I got back on I had lost it and had to redo the whole thing, I must have just forgotten. (grieving and all) It is the '84 300TD. It is full on oil, she let me change that about two weeks ago. The coolant is right on where it should be. Now I not only have visitation rights, but she has given it back to me. ( Of course it is broke, NOW I can have it) I didn't get it towed back home this a.m., my brothers trailer was busy. I will most likely be bringing it back this evening. ( If he don't have any horse shoeing appointments) When I get it here I will get the lid off the pickle barrel and see what's inside. I will check the battery under load first to see if maybe ( ok so I'm eternally optomistic) the alt. did go bad and the battery is reeeeal dead. thanks for all the help and I will keep you all posted. Tom

Frypower hay buddy dont you go away im gathering up the stuff to make some bio. will probly need help. its still to hot but should cool off soon. best regards Bobco

hey Fryer:

Loosen all the belts -- you may have something locked up besides the motor (like the A/C compressor or alternator). If that doesn't free it up, pull the injectors or glowplugs and check for water (cracked head).

It is possible that the oil pump failed and the bearings have locked up. In that case, she should have heard quite a noise -- the chain runs on the valve cover, the rods clatter, etc.

No **** this is an interference engine -- the camshaft towers will be broken if the chain jumped and the engine will be free -- my brother broke the crank in his 75 300D at 55 -- didn't damage the vavles, head, or pistons! Snapped all three cam towers off, though. Blew a hole in both sides of the oil pan, beat the hell out of #2 piston, and didn't even crack the block!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

It only takes a few minutes to pull the valve cover, it may show you the problem and it may not, but it's the first step.

Best of luck,