I had some spare time today so I decided to go fishing for the old heat shields.

This time when I took out the injectors, I could clearly see the old "top hat" like heat shields - they had been bombarded with diesel fuel for the last several weeks and they stood out like a sore thumb (they really blended into the bottom of the prechamber the first time I changed the injectors).

After fiddling around for about 1/2 hour trying to get the first old heat shield out, I finally devised the right tool and they came out rather easily.

Popped in the new shields and the injectors - NO leaks...and off I went.

I noticed 2 things: 1) the car was peppier - could it be that the spray pattern is likely better now that the injector nozzles sit the MB-designed distance from the hole in the bottom of the prechamber??? and 2) the car seems to shift more smoothly - got me on this one!!!

These 2 observations are based on about 10 miles of driving - I'll report back after I put more mileage on the car (especially looking forward to seeing if the mpg improves).

Thank you all for all your help...I really could not have done this without your help and encouragement,

Robert