1. FYI
I bought my 300E in Feb 03 and was plagued with (amongst other things) rough idle. After replacing normal tune up parts, car still ran rough, so I began reviewing various threads on rough/erratic idle. A couple of threads - re. fuel, and fuel injectors provided good food for thought. For at least 5 months now I have been using higher detergent gas (QT) and probably 4-5 cans of Techron - some on half tank of fuel. The rough idle finally appears to have been solved - may go to Chevron gas now to keep smooth idle if roughness recurs. (QT a little less pricey and seems to keep idle in good shape, though). Had this not worked, I would have replaced injectors - but this approach seemed worth a try, so I went that route first.
2. I was putting camshaft (valve) cover back on the other day and one of the bolts would not allow my torque wrench to release at correct torque. It felt as if it was tightening too much, so I backed bolt off and moved on to another bolt. Torque wrench worked fine on two more bolts, so I went back to rogue bolt and once again had much trouble getting torque wrench to release at correct torque setting. Tightened a bit more and heard a "pop". Stopped tightening, and since I needed car the following week, tightened rest of bolts and have driven for a week now. I have purchased an extractor from Lowes and ordered new bolt from Atlanta Classic Cars, but have not yet received. No oil is currently leaking from gasket, but I know something is amiss. I have not opened camshaft cover back up yet, and am wondering now what actually did happen. I could adopt "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, but my guess is that I will then experience problems on some long trip at a time and place not of my choosing. Any one had any similar experience like this, or any guess as to what might have happened?
(My Craftsman torque wrnech is working fine.)
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1990 300E - Current steed - 180 K mi.
1984 300D - Daughter's - 244 K mi. - tough car, but Wash DC is brutal on cars; given to charity before its time.
1986 325e - Son's - 200 K mi. (sold after much improvement, as son moved to convertible BMW)
1992 325ic - Son's current ride - 105 K+ mi.
1994 325is - Wife's - 140 K mi. (great car, but wife ready for 4 door)
2002 BMW 330i - Wife's - 65 K mi. - trend is bad; BMWs taking over here
1990 Taurus SHO - Gone (at 195 K mi.); truly a great one.
QT = Quik Trip (might be local to South). Anyway, since that time I have switched to Chevron almost exclusively and have gotten better performance. (I have also gotten some Mercedes tech bulletins that advise fuel additives not good.) I am not completely convinced that I can avoid injector replacement (as engine still has a "soft stumble" in idle), but the fuel does appear to be keeping idle from exhibiting the really bad symptoms seen in past.
Interesting thought about valve cover bolt - but I did hear a noticeable "pop" when installing. No leak at present, but will investigate further when weather warms up.
Linear Mode
