W126 500 SE seized front pump sleeve bush?

[pompy]

I've mentioned previously on other threads that the trans makes a whirr sound at idle and that the box otherwise operates fine. Mileage 118 000kms and it sat parked for three years at the coast doing 1 500kms during that time - that is apparently what caused it according to the tech at MB - a bit of moisture got in there and caused it to seize.  Trans service done at 115 750kms in march last year. I must add that it isn't an overly loud whirr and that most people wouldn't notice it. It is most audible while idling in the garage.
Can someone please confirm wether it is in fact this copper bush thing?
Also, is it doing any damage to the transmission?

I drive once every 2 - 3 weeks @ 60 kms highway.

I'm planning on taking it on a 400km round trip tmrw and am wondering if I just shouldn't and it let it be untill I can afford to have trans pulled...?

[TJ 450]

400km shouldn't worry it, as I've done 20,000km in my 450SEL with a similar noise and it hasn't got any worse.

I would check the fluid though, and make sure that there are no traces of water/coolant. It is common enough to have a coolant leak at the transmission cooler in the radiator on a W126.

Tim

[pompy]

Thanx TJ,

I checked the fluid @ 3 weeks ago after a good long drive and it was clean, smelt right and at correct level.

[TJ 450]

I think it will be fine. If the sleeves have seized, any damage will have already been done anyhow. Used replacements should be readily available if it should fail catastrophically in the future, and that I would doubt. If what I have seen is representative, seizure of these parts is not uncommon and the transmission continues to function with nothing but a bit of excess noise.

I would fix it when you get a chance, though. You wouldn't need to rebuild the entire trans, because the pump is removed without a total pull-down. It's a pretty straightforward affair, and the hardest part is removing the trans. On a W126, I daresay it is "easy".

Tim