pump change

[v8volvo]

Just telling you the facts of what I have seen. I recently had to replace an actuator on a 300D, and then had to replace the flasher relay on the same car, which is on top of the steering column and requires pulling the instrument cluster out for access. The shutoff actuator's diaphragm had failed and allowed oil to travel throughout the vacuum system. When I pulled the cluster out, I could see oil dripping from the ignition switch. On another car I worked on, there were black stains running down the transmission tunnel side of the driver's footwell, which is the opposite side from where the oil press gauge is, and right beneath the ignition switch. I work on Benzes routinely and have dealt with a fair number of them, and the shop where I work has worked on them for many years and has seen everything. I agree that they are pretty solid rigs and am not trying to disparage them. I can see their attraction and think they are a good design for the most part. But there is no denying that Benzes have their share of issues and tradeoffs too, like any other car or piece of equipment. I don't think they are any cheaper or easier to keep on the road than a Volvo diesel -- just they are much more common and familiar, which makes it less likely that a botched repair job will send them to their grave. I think that is probably how many of the Volvos died in the US. In Europe, where they are much more common and it is much less likely that a mechanic will screw up a timing belt job, valve adjustment, diagnosis, etc, the Volvo D24/T motors last just as long as the Benzers.

The timing belt vs timing chain difference is not a matter of inline vs VE pump, it's a factor of engine design, VW vs Mercedes. There are plenty of engines on the road with VE pumps that do have chain- or gear-driven timing components (Cummins, Mitsubishi, Nissan though they still have a separate belt for the pump in addition to the timing chain). Personally I would rather replace a timing belt every 75k than worry about chain stretch over time (belts don't stretch), and eventually have to replace the entire chain plus guides and followers, which is much more expensive and difficult than doing a belt. Mercedes design philosophy has always been to use chains while VW used belts, and that holds true all the way up to the present day. Each setup has its fans and detractors. It's a matter of preference but I think most of the people you talk to on here or on the VW/TDI boards will say they'd rather have a belt than a chain. Chains can break too, and are much more unpredictable about it in terms of guessing their service life (and that of the guides, etc). I would prefer to just replace a belt and one idler pulley every 75k and be done with it, and in the meantime enjoy the lower friction, increased efficiency, and quieter operation.

I don't think there is much to argue about; each design has its strengths and weaknesses and which one you like better is a matter of choice. I don't think you could convince many Mercedes owners that they would really rather have a Volvo or VW, and likewise trying to convince the people on here that a Mercedes is better car than a D24T Volvo isn't going to get very far. If a Volvo owner had really wanted a Benz instead, they would already have bought one, since the Benzes are certainly easier to find. Anyone who is on here has gone through the extra effort to seek out a Volvo diesel. I don't think people will enjoy hearing you put their beloved vehicles down. Hope you became a member here for a reason other than that. We're not going to beat on your Benz so there is no reason to take a defensive position.

However, I think people *would* be interested in hearing more about your VNT setup. We are working on adapting one to a Volvo and would appreciate any experienced input.