1996 Mercedes-Benz E300 Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E300 describes a sedan with a diesel inline-six under the hood. That engine measures 3.0L, uses double overhead camshafts and breathes without a turbocharger. The car is listed as a four-door sedan in Base trim only, and the manual documents it with specifications, torque values and wiring diagrams for the engine and fuel system, cooling, transmission, brakes, steering, suspension and the body electrical circuits.

Engines covered

• 3.0L inline-six — DOHC, naturally aspirated, diesel

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan

Trims covered

• Base

Known issues on the 1996 E300. NHTSA filed one recall against the 1996 E-Class line, and it applied to certain cars in that line with six-cylinder engines. Metal fatigue could crack the crankshaft pulley that drives the accessory belt until it broke, which could take away engine cooling, battery charging or power steering; dealers replaced the damper-pulley. Six owner complaints name the 1996 E300 itself, two each citing suspension, electrical system and power train. Another 16 were filed against the 1996 E-Class line, led by suspension and electrical. The manual's belt drive, cooling, charging and steering procedures cover each of these systems.