Pro and cons of rebuilding the baby.... - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mplafleur · #16 06-24-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbzr4ever

BTW, I'm female (or a sista, as they say here)

You still got two arms and two legs and a brain, and you're prettier to boot.

See? You have an advantage over us men.

Get the engine out. It's easy for that car. As for the sleeves, take the block to a machine shop and have them replace them and bore/hone them for the new pistons and/or rings.

With a manual and this forum to help with your questions, you should have no problem. The first engine I rebuilt myself was a 300D.

Think of your dad and make him proud. You'll feel better doing it yourself.

t walgamuth · #17 06-24-2006, 10:41 AM

i am just wondering how many of these folks urging you to take on the rebuilding of your motor have actually had a mb diesel apart?

it is an extremely lot of work to tear one down and reassemble let alone doing any of the actual removal and replacement of critical parts.

how about it you guys, have you actually had one down and reassembled?

if there is a broken rod it will most likely have punched a hole in the side of the block down low and you will have lots of oil dripping out the side.

tom w

mplafleur · #18 06-24-2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

i am just wondering how many of these folks urging you to take on the rebuilding of your motor have actually had a mb diesel apart?

it is an extremely lot of work to tear one down and reassemble let alone doing any of the actual removal and replacement of critical parts.

how about it you guys, have you actually had one down and reassembled?

if there is a broken rod it will most likely have punched a hole in the side of the block down low and you will have lots of oil dripping out the side.

tom w

As I've stated above, yes I have. I'm currently rebuilding a 603 with a broken conrod car and a block with two holes punched out.

Is it simple? No. But it's not what I call hard work. Lifting and pulling things is the hard stuff. It will take some time. Some things may not come out or off easy, but it can be done with patience and time.

t walgamuth · #19 06-24-2006, 11:52 AM

good for you.

did you start out with benz diesels?

tom w

mplafleur · #20 06-24-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

good for you.

did you start out with benz diesels?

tom w

Actually, yes.

TimFreeh · #21 06-24-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

.... a 240 motor is nothing to do for your first motor, imho. i am an advanced hobbiest with over forty years of car hobbying and i would not do it myself. the sleeves have to be pressed out with an 80 ton press. then new ones have to be pressed in. the block has to be decked after the sleeves are in and the sleeves bored to match the pistons.

I don't think anybody here (unless they own a machine shop) would take on the task on boring cylinder liners to match pistons, this is a task for a proper machine shop. Same deal for installing liners and surfacing decks.

Have you done a 240D rebuild? If not how can you offer advice about how difficult the job is going to be?

I've done two OM61x total rebuilds (my first ever was a OM616) and I don't think they are more difficult to work on than many other engines. The tolerances are tighter, parts are more expensive, you will need some special tools and a proper factory shop manual but the techniques and procedures are pretty much the same as any other engine rebuild.

This is not to say that ANY engine rebuild should be entered into without careful consideration. Most amateur mechanics do not have the proper tools and experience for the precision measurements that are absolutely crucial when doing a proper rebuild. Its also a messy, time consuming, tedious and labor intensive process - most amateur mechanics would be better off buying a long or short block from a reputable rebuilder. By the time you factor in your time, buying precision measuring tools, cleaning, parts, and machine shop charges (which seem to be rising much faster than inflation around here) you really won't save much money with a home rebuild.

t walgamuth · #22 06-24-2006, 12:37 PM

exactly.

no i havent done one by my self. i am good friends with my machinist though and i have done some of the work myself. such as pressing out the liners and pressing in the new ones. assembling rods, installing and sizing rings and other things under his supervision. together we have done maybe five benz diesels. he is a very experienced machinist who will rebuild anything from a 1930 sail boat motor to a 40s flathead caddy to a modern engine. he says the mb engines are at least three times the work of a domestic v8.

it seemed to me that some folks were pushing the original poster to do a rebuild herself with the notion that it was a simple job any hobbiest can do.

i find it a very sad thing when folks take on a job that is too much and end up with a pile of parts that is worth nothing.

i was hoping to encourage a clear understanding of the size of the task, not discourage in a general way.

tom w

#23 06-24-2006, 01:50 PM

If she were on the mainland where junkyard OM616's are everywhere, I'd say swap it, pull off all the usable parts from the old engine and sell it as scrap metal for a few $. But since she is out in the middle of the drink on an active volcano, rebuilding it slowly over a few months to a year is a better option (If it is rebuildable).

t walgamuth · #24 06-24-2006, 04:21 PM

if her block is not broken.

tom w

mbzr4ever · #25 06-24-2006, 05:06 PM

for the leak, can't see any obvious cracks, can't see any rods poking out of the block, etc. There is a good sized old puddle of oil underneath, but there is still a lot of oil showing on the dipstick. There is black stuff all over especially underneath, but that was there before, too , if you know what I mean.

So, I'll start it to see where the leak may be coming from. Connected the battery, still has a lot of oil in it, and tried to start it up. The glow plug light went on, then off, turned the ignition, and it just kept trying to start for about 10 seconds, but never kicked over. Glow plugs wet or no compression, or need to pump the fuel thing in the engine????

mbzr4ever · #26 06-24-2006, 07:05 PM

bump for troubleshooting hints. meanwhile, I'm getting more ideas from the thread about the person on vacation and his diesel won't start. could be fungus in the tank, going to get some diesel treatment stuff at the marine supply store. may pick up a new fuel filter at napa's if they have them.

t walgamuth · #27 06-24-2006, 08:15 PM

remember, there are two fuel filters.

tom w

tuxkwb · #28 06-24-2006, 09:00 PM

Hello

First of I think if it needs rebuilt and she feels up to what does she have to loose a pile of scrap parts. She can always get into it and if she feels overwhelmed back out and gor find a used engine to finish the job. I always nothing ventured nothing gained. Yes it is a very big job to do but with no rush and all the help this forum can offer it just might turn out to be the experience of a life time.

All my kids love to work on thier cars and mine. From ages 11 to 19 I will never push them away from a challenge.

As for the block I just happen to have a 1979 240D block w/head and a few other parts attached that came from a car I unfortunately had to junk out. I was very hard to start and the car was basically junk so I had to part it out.

I you need the block and head for the job it is yours for free just pay for the shipping and you can have it as it is just sitting in my yard right now.

Just my 2 cents.

And no I have not had the privilige to rebuild one of these enginges yet but I will someday I just do not have the shop right now. But was a transmission mechanic for 15yrs. And I work on all my own MBs all 5 of them. I can tell you there is nothing in the world like fixing your own and hearing it purr and knowing you did it.

Ken

mbzr4ever · #29 06-24-2006, 09:52 PM

Bought some fungus additive, primed the pump under the hood. The primary fuel filter ($3) was out of stock but will be in tuesday. Bought the secondary filter just in case ($10).

So after the glow plug light goes off, I turn to crank and it just won't turn over. I let it try for about 10 seconds max. The cranking sounds uneven, not the even vibrating sound I am used to.

mbzr4ever · #30 06-24-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuxkwb

Hello

First of I think if it needs rebuilt and she feels up to what does she have to loose a pile of scrap parts. She can always get into it and if she feels overwhelmed back out and gor find a used engine to finish the job. I always nothing ventured nothing gained. Yes it is a very big job to do but with no rush and all the help this forum can offer it just might turn out to be the experience of a life time.

As for the block I just happen to have a 1979 240D block w/head and a few other parts attached that came from a car I unfortunately had to junk out. I was very hard to start and the car was basically junk so I had to part it out.

I you need the block and head for the job it is yours for free just pay for the shipping and you can have it as it is just sitting in my yard right now.

Just my 2 cents.

And no I have not had the privilige to rebuild one of these enginges yet but I will someday I just do not have the shop right now. But was a transmission mechanic for 15yrs. And I work on all my own MBs all 5 of them. I can tell you there is nothing in the world like fixing your own and hearing it purr and knowing you did it.

Ken

Well, I think you might be right, and besides, what else is there to do here on this rock in the middle of the pacific ocean, LOL!

I 'll just play with it till....who knows??? I don't mind the spare parts around, there's plenty of room, and around here spares in the hand are worth more than 2 coming from the mainland, if you know what I mean.

Thanks for the offer for the block. Don't know if I need it yet, but if I do, I will be more than happy to pay for the shipping and your trouble of sending it. Maybe I should say yes, and have it start the journey? It would take a couple of months to get here, I'm sure.