I can't think of any major technological advance in the history of the automobile that hasn't had problems in its introduction. Yes the engineers made mistakes with some of these engines, but if you are going to push the envelope a bit, sometimes it is going to push back. I don't know of any manufacturer that older mechanics can't think of a particular year or model that had problems.

At least they fixed the head issue and eventually the rod-bending issue. From what I have heard, the ACC units have given trouble all along.

__________________
Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein

Habenero,

MB may have fixed the ones that failed in the warranty period, but how about all the ones that failed out of warranty, and the owners had to pay $2000+ for the head work and $8000+ to replace the engine that had bent rods and oval cylinders?

P E H

I don't mean to be argumentative, I promise. I am not saying that these weren't serious issues. But if engineers never attempted new technologies or new processes, there would never be any development.

Here's an analogy that will probably instantly raise many hackles. Take the drug industry for instance. They have to test, and test, and test, and test a drug to be absolutely beyond a shadow of a doubt certain it is going to work when they send it out to the public. How many people then die because a drug is in phase III trials when they need it most? But, all this testing is necessary because the consequences of releasing a drug without it are too terrible. Now let's say automotive engineers wanted to be sure never to release a bad product to the public so they went through this type of testing. How many new car models would be released then? How much new technology would be integrated?

I am not one to say all developments are good. I often wish engineers had never thought of putting a computer on a car. But, there are benefits to each advance we see, along with the bad parts. I am paying my $2000 dollar dues right now for a cracked aluminum head. But, that car has 285,000 miles on it. The dollar/mile ratio doesn't seem too bad to me.

__________________
Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein

I was starting to think, if its got a head problem, I will get it.
I was starting to sink money into and get it ready for a daily driver, but now i am discouraged..
Maybe I should go out and get a $500 88 Corolla , something I can fix with visegrips and 2 screwdrivers and duct tape, and use that instead--it would cost less than the 87 300D's new head--

Habenero,

Yes car manufactures have to advance new designs or we would still be drving model Ts.

But if a manufacturer releases a car that has significant amount of problems with a certain part, the manufacturer should take the responsibility to repair the defective part well beyond the warranty.

The manufactures have to recall and repair any defective parts that affect safety or emissions regardless of mileage and that should be extended to all defective parts.

Maybe if they had to do the above, they would be more careful about seling a car with defective parts.

P E H

You make valid points and I am in general agreement. It would be nice if they extended their policy on the trap oxidizers to cylinder heads, but I think that would be dreaming.

Funny you mention about the extended warranty (or after-warranty repairs) as GM has just done this with the 01 and 02 Duramax injectors. Many were having problems right around the end of the factory warranty (100,000 miles) so they extended the warranty on injectors to 200,000 miles. Doesn't cover my 03 yet, but I am sure if the issues are still prevalent they will be covered as well. Maybe we can agree on that being the kind of goodwill we would like to see from a manufacturer.

__________________
Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein

I'm getting ready to replace my 603 head gasket because it has begun to weep a little oil towards the backside of the head.

The head is original 14. And did have a trap until early this year and with approximately 180K. Head is in fine shape so far and hope not to find pitting as it did have green anti f. in it.

Can someone recommend an inexpensive CD that will work with my Windows 2000 XP. I do have pdf.

Would apprieciate if someone could take a few minutes and outline #1. cam removal sequence? #2. Confirm my understanding of proper head gasket torque proceedure?

I have the directions that came with the new head gasket but it is a bit confusing to me.

I'm confused with what is meant by:

#1. Warm up time (80C)
#2. Loosen and tighten each bolt.
#3. Relaxation time.
#4. Torque angle.

I do understand these are stretch bolts. But I'm a little lost applying these steps!

sarafin - it sounds to me like you do NOT have the factory CD-ROM service manuals. Do not even dream about replacing a 603 head gasket without one.
MB Tech Manuals from MBUSA cost $19.99 plus S&H
MB Tech Manuals from MBUSA
Print manuals are hard to find, and expensive.
The cam removal sequence is clearly outlined in the CD (the print manual had the arrow colors reversed, the text was correct - the CD/PDF is correct for both).
There is no loosen/retorque for the head gasket. Forget whatever came with the gasket, do what the FSM says.
Although it's too late now, you should have gotten the OE dealer gasket set, not aftermarket, but that's OK.

BTW - if all you have is some oil weeping, I'd consider leaving it alone. If it's at the front of the head, sometimes you can tighten the two bolts that have the oil passage between them and slow the leak (that worked on my white car). If it's the rear corner with the oil return, I'm not sure if tightening will work.