BenjaminKyle

Be forewarned, I'm not mechanically inclined, the vehicle referenced has sat in the garage for the last couple of months, and has previous frame damage from my idiot brother.

I'm on my way to the airport the other day and my trusty (not) X5 eats another window regulator with the window down. I stop at my parents' house and try to swap it for the Benz.. get in and get a "Low Coolant" message and a horrible grinding noise from the engine. I pop the hood and observe for a little while, eventually the main engine fan quits spinning. I'm in a hurry so I pull it back in the garage and get another car.

I get home from vacation yesterday and my stepdad accuses me of having wrecked it, without having driven it in months. No exterior damage, but the radiator and engine both seem to be sitting "cockeyed" with the lower edge of the fan blades hitting the radiator and cutting into the lower radiator hose (hence the "low coolant" warning).

It's a 97 E420, so it's 16 years old and has 108k miles on it, so the rubber components are due to start failing. Is it possible this could be a motor mount issue or something? I'm at a loss and can't come up with a logical explanation as to why the last time it was driven everything was fine and then I get in it one day and the fan is running into the radiator.

Ideas?

Rich's 97 E420

Tell us more about the frame damage? was it repaired? if the frame is still twisted it is very possible to have misaligned the whole drive train.

BenjaminKyle

I wish I could be more specific, but unfortunately it was my bro's accident back in 2001-2002 and he's since passed away. It was a hit to the front passenger fender. I took it in for service and an alignment several months ago and they said it couldn't be aligned perfectly because of front right subframe damage that was unrepaired. Coincidentally that's the same side the engine is "cocked" to now.

BenjaminKyle

I think I was finally able to convince him that 16-17 years on rubber mounts + a distorted frame did it in. Now he seems to think that pulling the engine and replacing the mounts is as simple as it was in my old Jeep CJ. If anyone wants a complete 97 E420 with 108k on it, or just the (freshly serviced) M119, let me know, would be glad to negotiate a price.

Plutoe

If you live near water donate the car to a fish farm

BenjaminKyle

lmao I know dude. Pretty much what the SA told me when I had it at the dealer for service. Don't blame me, though, I've always maintained my vehicles, and my X is the finest specimen in the area, it wants for nothing. My brother's old Merc though, well sadly he didn't see it as the same work of art and engineering that I did.

Rich's 97 E420

I will buy the front cup holder!

Hirnbeiss

The fan clutch could have given up the ghost and sent the fan into the radiator. They seldom collide with much damage, but may have been worse due to the damage from the old accident.

Dave1965

Pictures would be EXTREMELY helpful here!