Calling Boneheaddoctor... Rocker bolt #5 broke off despite correct torque. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300DPETE · #16 11-28-2005, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

No, you need free unrestricted access to the bolt from the top.
You must align to the bolt center for extraction, refer to picture.

Then I definitely need some assistance here. I'm starting to go in over my head.

Here's a picture. It broke off below the lip on the head.

whunter · #17 11-28-2005, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300DPETE

Then I definitely need some assistance here. I'm starting to go in over my head.

Here's a picture. It broke off below the lip on the head.

Contact your local machine shops, ask if they would extract the bolt from engine in car.
They have special tools that you can not afford to buy.
Do NOT surrender after a few calls, it may take twenty calls or one call to find a willing shop.

Towing will cost more than extraction.
Call Phil and ask about all new rocker bolts, do NOT trust the old ones...

300DPETE · #18 11-29-2005, 12:07 AM

Okay.

Would it be better to take it to an independent mercedes shop? Otherwise, I'll have to tow it twice (to the machine shop, and back to my house put the rocker arms back on, adjust the valves, and put everything back together). I take it I need to ask for a shop that has a machinist.

I figure I can credit the cost of not having to tow it back to my house towards the bill I'll have to pay the mechanic.

Any guesstimates as to what it's going to cost?

Thanks,

Pete.

whunter · #19 11-29-2005, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300DPETE

OK.

Would it be better to take it to an independent Mercedes shop? Otherwise, I'll have to tow it twice (to the machine shop, and back to my house put the rocker arms back on, adjust the valves, and put everything back together). I take it I need to ask for a shop that has a machinist.

I figure I can credit the cost of not having to tow it back to my house toward the bill I'll have to pay the mechanic.

Any guesstimates as to what it's going to cost?

Thanks,

Pete.

Machine Shop, not auto repair shop, you will be paying a machinist to extract the bolt...
Please; if you want quality work done, do NOT call a Machinist a Mechanic.
With any luck, they will allow you to reassemble in their lot.

http://www.mmsonline.com/

http://www.emachineshop.com/

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/

Elktonjohn · #20 11-29-2005, 12:35 AM

Pete...for what it's worth I've been wracking my brain to see if there was anybody in the old neighborhood that might still be around and be of help at this hour but nada. I used to live at the corner of Fort Hunt rd and Belle Haven Blvd...and later at Telegraph and Virginia Hills rd so was in an easy walk, now it's 3 hours away in the Valley. Tomorrow, if you are feeling lucky...or desperate you can call some guys I know at Lindsey Cadillac and at least one will may able to help...but he'll want to be paid. No kidding, and less hairbrained then you might think. If you can PM me, or even want to, then I'll explain and show you how to make the call...it'll be after work tomorrow but if it's a help, well...just a thought. I'll be up a while and lurking about, Luck man

300DPETE · #21 11-29-2005, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

Machine Shop, not auto repair shop, you will be paying a machinist to extract the bolt...
Please; if you want quality work done, do NOT call a Machinist a Mechanic.
With any luck, they will allow you to reassemble in their lot.

http://www.mmsonline.com/

http://www.emachineshop.com/

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/

Thanks, whunter.

Looks like I'll have to take Friday off (if possible). I'm guessing none are open on the weekend.

300DPETE · #22 11-29-2005, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elktonjohn

Pete...for what it's worth I've been wracking my brain to see if there was anybody in the old neighborhood that might still be around and be of help at this hour but nada. I used to live at the corner of Fort Hunt rd and Belle Haven Blvd...and later at Telegraph and Virginia Hills rd so was in an easy walk, now it's 3 hours away in the Valley. Tomorrow, if you are feeling lucky...or desperate you can call some guys I know at Lindsey Cadillac and at least one will may able to help...but he'll want to be paid. No kidding, and less hairbrained then you might think. If you can PM me, or even want to, then I'll explain and show you how to make the call...it'll be after work tomorrow but if it's a help, well...just a thought. I'll be up a while and lurking about, Luck man

Thanks, Elktonjohn. Are any of them machinists, as whunter suggests?

Elktonjohn · #23 11-29-2005, 01:16 AM

Nope, but they are right good engine mechanics and have been there since the late 80's-early 90's. I've turned wrenches with 4 of these guys over the past 20 years...they are good. Pm me if you want a contact, I'm thinking one guy in particular may be able to help but don't know for sure...likely

Elktonjohn · #24 11-29-2005, 01:28 AM

Jeez...after reading that last post I look like a reverse stalker...No worries Pete, sorry if this looks as wierd to you as it just did to me. Me and this one guy at Lindsey had a time and a half with a transmission in my girls' 94 Lesabre 2 years ago and me and him go back a long ways to begin with. If you called him and said my name he'd laugh and say what's up and maybe you'd get a house call for a fee...sorry if this was an uncomfortable idea and I feel a little bit foolish right now for the trying, no harm intended and no worries dude. Luck.

300DPETE · #25 11-29-2005, 01:39 AM

No stalking taken

I'll PM you tomorrow.

Thanks,

Pete.

Elktonjohn · #26 11-29-2005, 01:44 AM

Hasta...and good luck man...you need it

t walgamuth · #27 11-29-2005, 05:15 AM

with roy. extracting a bolt from the head is tricky business. i would get my machinist there to do it. it is very easy for an amature to bugger it up and then you will have a bigger problem.

i consider myself an advanced hobbiest after forty years of it but this is a job i would not tackle because of the risk involved in damaging a very expensive head which is a huge amount of work to remove.

easy outs give me the willies. i have had zero luck with them. my machinist doesnt use them either. we drill out very carefully after carefully centering and tap. still i would not try this myself. i would get it ready by removing all the rocker assemblies and get the macinist to come over or drag the car to him.

tom w

300DPETE · #28 11-29-2005, 06:58 AM

Okay, Tom.

I'll see if I can find someone.

Thanks,

Pete.

300DPETE · #29 11-29-2005, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

with roy. extracting a bolt from the head is tricky business. i would get my machinist there to do it. it is very easy for an amature to bugger it up and then you will have a bigger problem.

i consider myself an advanced hobbiest after forty years of it but this is a job i would not tackle because of the risk involved in damaging a very expensive head which is a huge amount of work to remove.

easy outs give me the willies. i have had zero luck with them. my machinist doesnt use them either. we drill out very carefully after carefully centering and tap. still i would not try this myself. i would get it ready by removing all the rocker assemblies and get the macinist to come over or drag the car to him.

tom w

I guess this means I need to know how to remove the cam in preparation for the machinist...I'll start searching the forum today. Does it require securing the timing chain?

Pete.

300DPETE · #30 11-29-2005, 07:38 AM

A thought...

How much would it cost to replace the head gasket at a local shop? That way (correct me if I'm wrong), there would be enough access to the bolt once the head is removed to not require a machinist, and then I'd have a new head gasket, and again, not have to tow the car home or beg someone to let me spend the day putting my engine back together in there parking lot.

Bad idea? Am I visualizing this correctly? Would it not even work (i.e., is the bolt somehow interally enclosed even if you take the top off?).

Thanks,

Pete.