Gump attacked and left cripple!

[redghost]

Not really bad, just a minor pain in the rump sort of issue. She was driving along just fine and .... the evil road jumped up and bit her. Horrid smack and rending of steel! Seems that asphalt and steal do not like each other. If you have an older Mercedes with possible weak front springs, be very careful when you hit a hill at speed. Gump was going at a good clip and much of the underside was able to transit the road well, but a bit of road decided that the oil pan drain plug made a good place to attack. Old oil pans do not like to have the drain plug ripped out by asphalt and will instead allow the back end of the pan to tear off.

I made it about a half mile before the oil pressure dropped way too much and I pulled over to make sure I still had a good engine. Got towed home. Nice that it was fairly close to time to change oil instead of right after an oil change. I have a new pan on order and will get her back on the road in a few days. Will then make a skid plate for the hills around here so they do not hurt may baby any more.

[W.L.SOON]

Hi guys! Wow,Clay,it must have been some hill,huh? At what speed,may I ask? To have the metal oil pan hit the asphalt:the springs must had really been under some load,huh? Hopefully the alloy oil sump and the oil strainer are OK?

All the best to you....and to Gump too!Bye for now and GOD BLESS!!! :) :) :)

[Grey Ghost]

Lucky Pierre will be horrified...good luck to you & Gump and let's hope the damage is limited to the pan

[redghost]

Gump seems fine, the bolts are loosened waiting for the new pan to arrive. It did not crush the pan at all, just scraped along from the crossmember to the back of the pan and grabbed at the bolt. Nice hole all around the bolt.

I was scooting along at 60kph (40mph) trying to beat a light. Had been driving up a slight incline, intersection was flat, and transitions into a steep (46* angle) hill. I must have preloaded the springs after cresting onto the flat intersection then not had enough time to release before plowing into the hill. May be time to upgrade to newer springs than the originals. Shocks are less than a year old.

[W.L.SOON]

Hi guys! Clay,and you managed to drive it for another 1/2 mile! The oil must had drained out almost immediately,but still you could get Gump going for that distance?Talk about suction power(of the oil pump:a FEBI pump,yes?)!

Yeah,old springs and the heavy diesel engine AND the hill+speed all added up and the springs just bottomed out,I guess.
Well,all the best to you,Clay, bye for now and GOD BLESS you folks!!! :) :) :)

[pch2021]

the 115 chasiss has a history of doing this. I have new, stiff springs on my 220D and Karl rides HIGH from the front (:

i would suggest that you check your tire pressure. shouldn't be over 30 psi. anyuhow, as long as you are ok....

just don't jeopardize that motor!

i would ahve pulled opver immediatly. once oil pressure is lsot, there is always a little damage.

[redghost]

I did not notice the pressure dropping until I has gone that 1/2 mile. Usually up at 3 pegged, and then I watched it going to 2, then to 1, little pressure on the pedal and up, but still dropping, so I pulled over. You can follow the line of oil all the way back to the impact point. Must have lost at least two liters waiting for the tow truck. She is up on ramps right now and losing a bit more everyday. I may have another liter in the bucket under her by the time the new pan arrives

[catfish]

what is the oil pressure supposed to read, ideally? does the 10 psi to every 1000 RPM rule apply (if that is a rule of thumb)?

[Grey Ghost]

Clay, can you burn the oil you collect from the pan?

[redghost]

Measured in Bars it is best between 2-3. Gump stays pegged at 3 bars (45 psi) Marshall Booth on the diesel discussion feels that as long as it is above 1.5 bars at idle you are fine.

I use Mobil 1, and do not think it will burn well. Synthetics seem to not make good fuel grade additives, unlike the petro stuff.

[catfish]

mine sits pegged at 45, unless at a stop, where it may fall to around 30. i use the Chevron Delo petrol stuff in the big blue tub for diesel engines. someone said if i run the synthetic stuff it will lead to oil leaks.