See if you can find a good used engine. It may be less expensive and certainly easier to swap in than repairing your old engine.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Doesn't the above observation only happen if there was a violent piston-valve collision? If it were mine, I'd pull the head before making any decisions.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html

one thing when i turn the engine i can hear the pressure build up in all cylinders, i assume this is a good thing right? if there where damage could you hear it?

You are really risking further damage by turning the engine while the cam is not turning.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Big risks are being taken here. If that is all this engine is worth to you, it shows.

To do this right, you either invest in tools to properly diagnose, or disassemble as many have suggested.

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ok ok i get the point, i was just anxious and very new to this. so i did as everyone suggested and removed the lower oil pan and i was trying to figure out how the chain worked when i noticed that the #2 piston? sleeve seems to be broken. there is maybe 1/4" of the sleeve hanging down, and on the #1 piston there is a little gizmo bolted to the side and looks like a round piece that goes into the valve via a 1/4" hole in the valve, i have no idea what this is for but the #2 valve which is broken has the full assembly and the #1 apears to be missing the part that mates with the piston.(just found out this is the oil jet) this must have been old damage since i found no parts in the pan and cant find any trace of this anywhere. so now my question is this. it is obvious that i am now and probably always was in over my head. is this a repairable engine? is it worth it? how much would a shop charge for an engine overhaul? or is that what i need $1000 or would it be more?

just found out the little gizmo is the oil jet. and it was not the valve sleeve it is comming out from the piston?

anyone? anyone?

I think in todays market to repair a problem like you have . One thousand dollars will not touch it in a repair shop. To add to this there may be damage that makes the repair totally out of the question. You will still owe for the time and effort up to that point.

Better to find a good used engine unless you are willing to tackle the repair yourself. Even with a used engine you should install it yourself. Garages just are not cheap and you have a fairly involved issue.

I don't think there's anything to "consider". Anytime your timing chain snaps (in an interference motor), pull the head is a requirement to inspect for damage. And there is always damage.

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

Another good example of where the following term came from:

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Replace with a good used motor its the only way you are going to get out of this. I would post an add here on the forums you are in Ca according to your sig so someone out there might have one for a reasonable price or you might be able to find one on craigslist or something like that.

Ohhh and have you ever replaced an engine before?

Of course it's repairable.

A friend's 240D broke it's timing chain while going 75 mph.

NO bent valves, but it did break the camshaft. He had another from a spare engine and used that to replace it.

He just got the head back from a machinist last night. Valve seats reground and valves fitted. New guides and seals and all put back together for $120.

He also enlarged and polished the ports. I don't know what to think of that.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Given the content of your posts, I'd say your in over your head. It might be possible to fix the problem on this engine but the skills and knowledge required to do this will be difficult to pass along over the forum. A person needs a certain familiarity with motors to pull the head, inspect and replace.
Replacing the engine requires less technical expertise but if you haven't done it before it could be complicated.
If you don't have someone who can walk you thru either process in person, in my opinion, you may be better off selling the car for parts and buying another one.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I found a mechanic that works from home for $25 and hour, he said even with the piston problem he should be able to get it going for around $400. what do you guys think is that possible?