Headgasket?

[04 Diesel]

My wifes 92 300D's coolant has been slowly disapering for awhile now, I would have to top it off every once and awhile. Some white smoke out the tail pipe, and now she says it is running alittle hotter than normal. So I plan on replacing the headgasket, timing chain, water pump, thermostat, headbolts, timing chain tensioner, Did I forget something? Also plan on having the head rebuilt.The car has 245,00 miles on it, This is the worst possible time for this to happen, no money!

[jt20]

don't forget this head is also prone to cracking.

before you buy anything, make sure the head is in good order. They are not easy to come by.

--Metric may carry them

[jonbobshinigin]

The OM603 head is known for cracking...not the OM602 which I believe this one is.

[04 Diesel]

Originally Posted by jonbobshinigin

The OM603 head is known for cracking...not the OM602 which I believe this one is.

Yes, this is a 602.

[jt20]

the turbo 602 is quite capable of cracking.

[engatwork]

Change out the oil pump chain/tensioner, the timing chain and the slides that guide/tension the chain.
The one that you will see is worn the most will be the tensioner slide on the oil pump chain.

[sixto]

Check how deep the grooves are in the upper guide rail.

Some 602s had problems with the timing chain chewing up the cam sprocket. The sprocket's cog tips sould be meaty and rounded, not pointy like a radial saw blade.

Sixto
87 300D

[04 Diesel]

Originally Posted by engatwork

Change out the oil pump chain/tensioner, the timing chain and the slides that guide/tension the chain.
The one that you will see is worn the most will be the tensioner slide on the oil pump chain.

I wasnt planning on taking the timing cover off.

[04 Diesel]

Should I be looking at the turbo?

[sixto]

Consider converting to a pressure operated wastegate while it's apart -

Wastegate actuator swap for OM602.962?

Sixto
87 300D

[engatwork]

Once the head is off the timing cover is kinda easy.

[04 Diesel]

Originally Posted by engatwork

Once the head is off the timing cover is kinda easy.

With the motor still in the car?

[sixto]

I haven't seen a 602 in a 124 with the radiator out but you might be able to get an impact wrench on the crank pulley bolt. You need a flywheel lock to torque the crank pulley so an option is to get the lock in place at the start and use a lever arm to break the torque if an impact wrench doesn't fit. Using a lever arm on an engine stand is no fun.

Jim, I've never done an oil pump chain with the pan in place. Are you saying it's possible? Looks pretty tight in a 603 from these angles -





Sixto
87 300D

[04 Diesel]

I dont think I will mess with the oil pump chain, that will be a pain in the a$$. Or the any of the chain guides.

[sixto]

The top guide has to come off anyway.

Sixto
87 300D