1987 300TDT Overheats on long hills - Page 14 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Shortsguy1 · #**196** 01-31-2013, 04:45 PM

Steve-
I am sorry to hear about the car. Let me know if you decide to do the work yourself, and I would be happy to help. I am no expert, but I could be a competent assistant if you need another set of hands/eyes while doing the work. And I work for free (or maybe for a burrito from Tacos de Acapulco).

Andrew

gsxr · #**197** 02-01-2013, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

It might just be the head gasket but there's little point reinstalling a #14 head if you have a #22 head ready to go. Do you have injectors for the #22 head prechambers? A set of proper injector lines would be nice.

Sixto, I had recently traded emails with Steve about this. At first I too was undecided, and thought the head gasket was equally suspect. But after more information came to light, I'd say it's leaning towards about a 90/10 split between probability of cracked head / head gasket. The only way to know for sure is to pull the head. But as you said, with a #22 on the shelf, it seems silly to re-install the #14 even if it appears good. The #22 has vertical prechambers already installed, btw, a nice bonus.

swogee · #**198** 02-21-2013, 06:38 PM

Shortsguy1, thanks for the offer of assistance.

I'm still working on getting a head as #22 head I was planning on using is warped by 0.022". I could have it straightened but I think the better bet would be to get a new head.

87tdwagen · #**199** 02-21-2013, 07:13 PM

Steve sorry to hear about your car

Question for sixto and Dave and any others

unfortunately I am also facing the prospect of a busted head gasket or cracked #14 head. Mine has not deteriorated too bad and has been limited to oil leaking by #1 cyl and timing cover. I have started to notice a slight amount of coolant loss.

As mentioned I wont know what I have until I pull the head. On the 1 in 10 chance that it is limited to just the head gasket and you DON'T have a spare head laying around, what are your opinions of reusing a good #14 head with an OM606 MLS head gasket vs going for a newer head casting?

I'm a cheap optimist

gsxr · #**200** 02-21-2013, 11:26 PM

Installing a straight, crack-free #14 head is not a problem... you can even use the stock head gasket (don't think MLS will offer any real advantage here). Just don't overheat it, or otherwise abuse it (translation: no Myna or Dieselmeken IP's). The #14's can last a very long time, not all of them crack. However, keep in mind that you could be repeating the job in the future. It's really not all that bad of a project though, so in a financial pinch, I'd probably do the same if I had access to a good #14.

I sure wouldn't pay a lot for a #14 though, I'd rather look for a good used #17. Or buy that tweaked #22 from Steve and try to have it fixed on the cheap. I still think his might be able to be milled flat without the oven straightening process.

swogee · #**201** 03-12-2013, 12:58 AM

The verdict on the head is:

The head is cracked in two spots. On cylinder #5 there is a crack between the prechamber and the exhaust valve. On cylinder #6 there is crack between the exhaust and intake valves. I have attached pictures of the guilty part. It looks like it was a good idea to get a new head.

I have attached some pictures if anyone is interested.

On a side note, it looks like I will have a warped #22 head for sale shortly. The head has been cleaned and inspected. It is warped by .022", however it can be flattened.

whunter · #**202** 03-12-2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swogee

The verdict on the head is:

The head is cracked in two spots. On cylinder #5 there is a crack between the prechamber and the exhaust valve. On cylinder #6 there is crack between the exhaust and intake valves. I have attached pictures of the guilty part. It looks like it was a good idea to get a new head.

I have attached some pictures if anyone is interested.

On a side note, it looks like I will have a warped #22 head for sale shortly. The head has been cleaned and inspected. It is warped by .022", however it can be flattened.

I am interested.
Thank you for the update and pictures.

.

sixto · #**203** 03-12-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

Installing a straight, crack-free #14 head is not a problem... you can even use the stock head gasket (don't think MLS will offer any real advantage here). Just don't overheat it, or otherwise abuse it (translation: no Myna or Dieselmeken IP's). The #14's can last a very long time, not all of them crack. However, keep in mind that you could be repeating the job in the future. It's really not all that bad of a project though, so in a financial pinch, I'd probably do the same if I had access to a good #14.

I sure wouldn't pay a lot for a #14 though, I'd rather look for a good used #17. Or buy that tweaked #22 from Steve and try to have it fixed on the cheap. I still think his might be able to be milled flat without the oven straightening process.

You can recover value from the #14 head if it doesn't have cracks.

Sixto
87 300D