Hello All,
I had a head gasket leak on my 84 300D that had been slowly puking coolant since I bought the car. Last January I pulled the head and discovered the head gasket was indeed compromised. Since I had the head off I disassembled the head and dropped it off at a reputable shop that does a lot of diesel work. The exhaust guides needed to be done so I had them replaced. Valves were ground and all new seals, gaskets, etc. were installed when it all went back together. The head gasket repair worked, no longer pukes coolant and system doesn't retain pressure. Before the head work the engine used 1qt of oil every 3500-4000miles. Now it uses 1qt every 200-400miles. I have used the car very little since the work and the fact that I was busy replacing/repairing the AC system. Now that is almost all done I am trying to figure out what to do about the oil consumption. Obviously something went wrong. I figure maybe a guide didn't install correctly, etc. I have rebuilt many heads and I used the MB manual, etc. when it all went back together. The guides and seals were OE MB parts. So what do I do now? I don't really want to take it all apart again. I am tired of working on this car. I would consider just swapping a new/rebuilt head on if the price was right but the rebuilts I have seen from Metric Motors, etc. are quite pricey. I cannot stomach tearing it all apart and trying to fix it again only to make the same mistake, again. This really irks me. I am also just putting the car up for sale, as is, as I just want out at this point. Any input on a good rebuilt head source would be appreciated. Thanks, RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

too obvious but i didnt see where you checked it for warping.

sorry to hear of your lack of success. maybe still something simple overlooked. doesnt make sense that it used little before and so much now.

dont give up yet!

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Funny you should mention this today.

I'm still struggling with my head situation, nearly eight weeks after removing it.

The head was cracked and, thanks to Jim, I have a replacement.

But, the local shop has proven that they simply are not up to the task. Just insufficient knowledge of what to do, and a refusal to start on the head and work it until it is finished.

So, I'm pulling the plug.

The cost to have Metric motors do the complete job is $380.00. This includes valve guides and valve seals. Since I already bought these from the dealer, the price will be less (I'm thinking about $300). This is $150. less than the local yokel.

The cost to ship the head and a heavy wooden crate out to CA is about $60. each way.

I'm going to do it. Enough of keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that this imbecile doesn't cause more damage. If Metric does it, it's cheap insurance, IMHO.

It's somewhat surprising, however, that your oil consumption issue can be caused by valve guides, especially since they were replaced. Were the valve guides OE? Some are cautious of aftermarket guides due to random quality. There is not much tolerance between the valve and the guide. What about the valve seals? Were they OE parts? If not, that could be the issue.

Are you sure it's all coming out the exhaust? Nothing on the ground? If so, is it burning coolant too?

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1987 300SDL 167k
1992 Volvo 740 140k
1990 Volvo 740 250k
1989 Volvo 240 269k

Anyone want to trade an old Volvo for an '87 300sdl?

Definitely not using coolant. Used all OEM parts. Machine shop said head was flat/straight. Brian, let me know all the info on contacting Metric. I may go that route too. Oil smoke is definitely out the exhaust. None on the ground. Clearly visible blue smoke when driving behind car and a pungent burning oil smell. I thought maybe the turbo seals had gone but that seems awful coincedental with the head work. As a quick check I also ran the crankcase vent to atmosphere to make sure it wasn't blowby and it still smoked. I'm beginning to hate this car. RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Don't completely discount the turbo seals.

I've been wrestling with an oil consumption issue on the SDL. It's running about 1 quart every 1500 miles. Very little blowby. Oil smell in the vehicle, in the trunk, and in the exhaust. I believe that it's leaking into the exhaust and burning off in there.

If the oil was burned in the combustion chamber, in my case, 1500 miles equates to over 215 quarts of fuel. To this we add 1 quart of oil. So, the ratio is 1: 215. I don't think you could smell this in the exhaust, and, you certainly would not smell it in the vehicle.

But, the interesting point, and the reason for the post, is the fact that the situation gets far more pronounced after an oil change. I can't explain it, but there must be some additional oil pressure that forces more oil to the turbo and more leakage occurs, and more oil smell is present. So, if the valve guides caused an increase in oil pressure to the turbo, a slight leakage might be increased significantly.

I'm just tossing this out there, because valve guides and valve seals make no sense, unless one of them fell out. You have so much oil going through the engine that it has to be an obvious mistake if the head is involved.

Seems like there has been some talk on the forum here that suggests clearances for the guides should not be set at values considered good for Domestic engines!! You might want to check with the shop to see what specs they used when installing the guides.

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

I am waiting to hear about the local MB tech. If that doesn't work I am thinking that I may donate it. I want it fixed or gone. RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K