carl_w

Hi folks.

I'm considering buying a 1986 190E 2.0 as a cheap runaround. Suddenly I'm changing from getting the train to go to work, to needing to drive a 140 mile round trip every day.

I've looked at a silver '86 190E but I have a few queries.

1) The idle speed needs adjusting. Is this easy to do? At idle, the rad fan goes round no quicker than a windmill (actually I was surprised that it was belt driven).

2) It's a bit tappety. Hopefully an oil change will fix this? It's only done 80k miles in 18 years...

3) The rad fan doesn't appear to have any sort of shroud round it. Is this normal?

4) There's a "pancake" type air filter on top of the engine. Does this mean it's carbureted -- which would make it a 190 rather than a 190E?

5) Anything else I should look out for? Timing chains, etc.?

Cheers,

Carl

MTI

If it is a fuel injected version, then the idle speed is not readily adjustable, but the fuel/air mixture is. The radiator fan is thermostatically controlled and spins off an on depending on the coolant temperature.

The tappets on the M102 in 1986 were hydraulic and are self adjusting. Heavier oil might be of benefit, but perhaps the sound you hear is a worn or stretched timing chain.

There usually is a plastic shroud on the engine side of the radiator.

In 1986, both a 2.0L carb (single sidedraft Stromberg) and fuel injected model were available. The carb engines were 102.921, 102.938 and 102.924
Check the stamp on the engine or the data plate on the door sill.

For a car this age, I'd be concerned about the suspension parts. Mercedes used a lot of rubber bits to make the ride smooth, including motor mounts, ball joints, flex discs, transmission and subframe mounts. Servicing the suspension can be costly. Likewise the cooling system is often neglected. At this age, the valve seals are likely hardened and cracking. I strongly recommend that you get a compression test in all bores to make sure there's adequate compression.

carl_w

Thanks!

Decided not to go for that one. Now looking at a white '91 1.8 tomorrow. But (a) it's a 1.8 -- I guess it should at least be economical and (b) it's a manual. We'll see, I guess.