Replacing rings, 616 engine - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stupidsongs2 · #1 07-22-2008, 08:55 PM

Replacing rings 616 engine.

How hard is it to replace the rings on a 616 engine? It seems like remove heads, remove bottom end, if nothing is too messed up, replace rings*. Can it be done with the engine in car? what sort of compression should these engines have?

*steps may have been omitted

I'm looking at a 240D as a serious project car, and the owner tells me it has bad rings, so before I waste someone's time, I want to know if it is within my skill range to replace rings. With a VW, the “tricky” part is removing the engine from the car, and renewing the rings is comparatively simple once you get used to holding the tools. I'm kinda hoping it's a similar thing with other German cars.

Chas H · #2 07-22-2008, 09:17 PM

I would not take the owners word the engine "needs rings". If it actually needs rings the cylinder bores are likely worn out of spec and will require resleeving. Before you buy the car do a leak down test and a compression test.

Cervan · #3 07-22-2008, 09:27 PM

take the head off and check thats the only way to know. If it runs good, but uses oil it could be a canidate for re-ring. You could simply bore out the sleeves and put in oversized pistons (not sure what would be cheaper). Who knows, you may get lucky and it only needs rings.

vstech · #4 07-22-2008, 10:23 PM

you could get really lucky, and it only needs valve adjustment and seals...
have the motor checked if you do not have the tools to do it.
compression test, and leak down test to see where the compression is going.

franklyspeaking · #5 07-22-2008, 11:48 PM

To answer your question can you re-ring it in the car? No...you can't get the the upper oil pan off with the engine in the car (actually heard of someone doing it, but I think it would be much harder than just pulling the engine).

Good luck!

stupidsongs2 · #6 07-23-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklyspeaking

To answer your question can you re-ring it in the car? No...you can't get the the upper oil pan off with the engine in the car (actually heard of someone doing it, but I think it would be much harder than just pulling the engine).

Good luck!

That was the main question I had, however, remembering that you can't bolt on new cylinders and be done with it was kinda a dealbreaker also.

stupidsongs2 · #7 07-23-2008, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas H

I would not take the owners word the engine "needs rings". If it actually needs rings the cylinder bores are likely worn out of spec and will require resleeving. Before you buy the car do a leak down test and a compression test.

Totally, the only communication I've had with the owner is his ad and e-mailing him asking if the car is still avaiable.

It's starting to seem like owning a Benz with a blown engine is about as much of a PITA and will cost about as much as owning a Jaguar with a blown engine, an experiment I've already had fun with.

Diesel911 · #8 07-23-2008, 01:24 AM

Better to spend some extra money and get a car with more life left in the engine.

compress ignite · #9 07-23-2008, 01:30 AM

Had an Old one in college...fun ,BUT work (In the Italian tradition).

Cervan · #10 07-23-2008, 02:22 AM

Sounds like fun... i love simple rerings so much benefit comes out of it (the before and after

) I personally would buy it just to have the experience.

stupidsongs2 · #11 07-23-2008, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cervan

Sounds like fun... i love simple rerings so much benefit comes out of it (the before and after

) I personally would buy it just to have the experience.

See, that's my other train of thought, it's mostly gonna depend upon where I'm moving into and if they'll allow me to work on a car in the parking lot, because if they can, i can just drop the 240 at my parents house and work on it every now and then, while repairing my other cars in front of my house.

stupidsongs2 · #12 07-23-2008, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

Had an Old one in college...fun ,BUT work (In the Italian tradition).

It lost a original ball joint due to rust a week after I bought it, but other than that, the shock supports are great, and it's even got most of the 30-year-old stock exhaust!

The Spyder was a NC car until the early 90's, then I sat in a garage here until 06' when the guy I got it from found it.

Most reliable car I've owned so far, but that could be cause I'm Italian

Cervan · #13 07-23-2008, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stupidsongs2

See, that's my other train of thought, it's mostly gonna depend upon where I'm moving into and if they'll allow me to work on a car in the parking lot, because if they can, i can just drop the 240 at my parents house and work on it every now and then, while repairing my other cars in front of my house.

Sounds good to me, you can drop the pan with the engine in the car, but its much much easier to do it with it out of the car. (Would probibally make the job alot quicker too.) You would have to lift the engine up and support it somehow then remove the pan but it can be done. (i would just drill out the spotwelds on the crossmember and reweld it back in after im finished) If you can remove the engine, its a slam dunk throw it in the back of your car and take it home with you, and put it in your kitchen on a stand (Lol, it sounds crazy but it works, and it keeps the dust out of it)

stupidsongs2 · #14 07-23-2008, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cervan

Sounds good to me, you can drop the pan with the engine in the car, but its much much easier to do it with it out of the car. (Would probibally make the job alot quicker too.) You would have to lift the engine up and support it somehow then remove the pan but it can be done. (i would just drill out the spotwelds on the crossmember and reweld it back in after im finished) If you can remove the engine, its a slam dunk throw it in the back of your car and take it home with you, and put it in your kitchen on a stand (Lol, it sounds crazy but it works, and it keeps the dust out of it)

Really? It seems like the engine would weigh upwards of like 400 pounds. If it's this easy to deal with, I may wind up buying it.

WINGAS · #15 07-23-2008, 05:25 AM

These blocks rearely require a bore/sleeve I;m told. High nickle content in the sleeve msut be. Was told by a tech that a simple rehone, rering is typically what it requires.

Leak down test will give you a clue. However, I found some badly leaking ex valves, turns out, I could ( should) have reringed the bottom end ( I'd pull the motor and do it on a stand ) as now with a fresh head, it moves a bit of oil, qt every 1000 or so.