Looking at a Rod-Bender - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jadavis · #16 10-13-2008, 12:23 PM

They want $6,000 for that thing? The more I hear, the more I think it is over priced.

-Jim

Maxbumpo · #17 10-13-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I have read on this forum before of new 3.5 liters from MB suffering the same fate......
No first hand knowledge of course, but have seen it here.
Take that for what it's worth.......

This is the only forum where I've heard of such a thing. A fellow who kept very close track, the late Dr. Marshall Booth, held that the replacement engines from MB did not show any sign of the same rod-bending weakness. They used a revised piston rod, and the theory is the new rods are stronger.

Have folks on this forum reported that they have direct experience with a replacement or rebuilt engine suffering the same fate?

For the original poster, the first symptom of bent rods is skyrocketing oil consumption. Compression can be fine, power is fine, exhaust smoke is apparently normal, engine temps are normal.

mcguirjf · #18 10-13-2008, 02:33 PM

I guess the only way to know if it has a bent rod is if he admits it uses alot of oil.

As for the owner over heating the car- if i runs and drives ok just do a headgasket? He said it idled for amost an hour and it was fine, but I guess that doesn't say anything. I guess worst case I need a new head.

I did a quick price up of parts needed and I'm looking at $7-8 hundred between muffler and headgasket job.

The doors and trunk closed fine. I guess I can live without the close assists for a while.

mcguirjf · #19 10-13-2008, 09:06 PM

Well I took it for a test drive around the guys yard and parking lot (not registered). I noticed a lot of pressure in the coolant tank once there was enough coolant in the reservior (engine still cold). The head gasket is definately leaking. There is an oil slick on all the front pulleys. The power steering pump is leaking (possible cause?). Driver seat clicking while adjusting up.

Should I budget for an head gasket job, cylinder head, or long block?

Metric Motors going rate of a long block is almost $10K.

Its not looking good.

Just curious, what would you feel is a fair price to offer?

gregszustak · #20 10-13-2008, 09:34 PM

"The battery was dead so I'm going back today to hear it run. The front bumper cover has a crack. The headliner on the sliding roof is torn. One headlight lens cracked with the wiper arm stuck in the wrong position. Missing rear muffler. "

If this was a Ford would you waste any more time looking at it?
Do you feel it was well taken care of?

redassag00 · #21 10-13-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadavis

I didn't know they made the S350 in 1995. I thought 1994 was the last year.

-Jim
__________________
1987 300D Turbo, Grey with black leather interior. Est. 235,000 miles. Driven 110 miles since I bought the S350D
1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
As of July 2008 -> 245,xxx miles.
Anyone know a MB diesel diehard named Jamie Reed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

You have one in your signature........

Awareness FAIL!

Good to see you Jim! Quit working so hard!

JimmyL · #22 10-13-2008, 11:36 PM

Besides of course the engine and tranny, there is still very little about a W140 that isn't extremely expensive......

300sdlguy · #23 10-14-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Besides of course the engine and tranny, there is still very little about a W140 that isn't extremely expensive......

Understatement to say the least

I LOVE a bargain, and HATE to rain on anyone's "car purchase parade," but this car should be UNDER $4000, and that's "IF" there are no other issues, and we ALL know there are gonna be TON'S of other issues that are quickly gonna make this "good deal" not so good a deal. Better to buy one for more $$$ in better shape ALL AROUND, and at least have a "few months" enjoyment. I am not the first, nor will I be that last to say, you MUST understand these car's are money pits even when they've been maintained, thats just the nature of the "W140" beast. Unfortunately, after the 2nd owner, less & less of the "required," let alone, the "suggested" maintenance is ever done. It's more like ONLY enough is repaired just to keep it running, and all the unique, nice & cool accessories that make a W140 a W140 are in need of costly repair, so you miss out on what the "true joy" of a W140 is, and that joy comes-at-a-price. ALL IMHU of course

t walgamuth · #24 10-14-2008, 05:41 AM

Run don't walk away!

The 140 are so complicated that one would about have to be free for you to come out.

Better to find one with no issues at about the same price.

The biggest problem with a car like that is that it has so many issues you can't even drive it to evaluate it.

That one should really be thought of as a near parts car.

sixto · #25 10-14-2008, 05:09 PM

Seat heater controls will be on the dash on either side of the ashtray.

Clicking as you adjust the seats means the nylon gears are coming apart. No fix there - you have to get a new seat base mechanism. Ideally you'll find one being parted out and you can get just the bits you need.

Vacuum for engine shut-off is tapped off the brake booster line, not a branch of the small fitting at the vacuum pump.

I believe this car should have come with a #17 head but others say differently. Check the engine serial number and match it with the VIN. You can do this through that Russian website. The same website will tell you if it has heated seats.

There's a 3.5 short block listed in the parts forum. Might be babymog's listing.

Closing assist is just that. If you slam the doors and trunk they will close completely. The closing assist pump is beside the stereo amp just to the left of the fuel tank. If removing fuse 9 in above the battery gets closing assist working for a while, the refurbishing steps at v12uberalles.com should restore full function. The closing assist pump might also drive the lumbar or orthopedic seat systems. It's one or the other, not both. There's a separate pump for central locking. Probably a dozen other pumps once you dig into the 140

It might only need a head gasket but I wouldn't trust an overheated 603 head, even a later version casting. Put it on eBay noting that it came off an engine you were told overheated. Someone will buy it and you would have provided fair warning. It's pretty clear that car has not had good care. Overheating is one thing. Happens to the best of us. Ideally you pull over and kill the engine as soon as you see the temp gauge read 120*C. More likely the driver kept going and probably made it home with smoke pouring from the engine bay.

How's the transmission? How's the ACC? I'd have difficulty offering more than $2000 for it and I'm the generous guy around here.

Sixto
87 300D

mcguirjf · #26 10-14-2008, 08:12 PM

No heated seats. Damn it.

The ACC appeared to work. The digital display for the driver side was scrabbled. AC was serviced last year as well as the tranny being rebuilt. Newer tires. This is the reason that he's asking so much.

I'm wondering if I should bother.

Hatterasguy · #27 10-14-2008, 08:24 PM

Why don't you buy my friends 1997 85k mile S320, which doesn't need anything for $10k-$11k or so. That way you can get your W140 fix and not go broke. My friends car has nice cold AC, new tires, and 18in AMG wheels.

If you can get this thing for under $2k and can live with it not being perfect it might be a good car. Your not getting away for less than $2k to do the head.