Worried: Blown head gasket? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

77horses · #16 02-07-2013, 11:00 PM

I believe this vehicle had a blown head gasket when I purchased it last September. It had been in a local shop I am familiar with for overheating issues, and lost coolant. They put in a new thermostat, fan clutch, and flushed the cooling system. I quizzed the previous owner on the extent of the overheating, and I believe he lied to me. I think he grossly overheated it, blew the head gasket, then sold it. I pulled the dipstick and there was no coolant in the oil, and still isn't, but that's not a surefire way to tell. It's buyer beware, and I should have insisted on taking it down to the shop for a full inspection instead of just doing a good once-over in his driveway. Live and learn. Now I need to decide if I want to replace the head gasket. I'd honestly rather have a turbocharged motor in this car. It's nice enough to warrant an engine swap.

cooljjay · #17 02-07-2013, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77horses

I believe this vehicle had a blown head gasket when I purchased it last September. It had been in a local shop I am familiar with for overheating issues, and lost coolant. They put in a new thermostat, fan clutch, and flushed the cooling system. I quizzed the previous owner on the extent of the overheating, and I believe he lied to me. I think he grossly overheated it, blew the head gasket, then sold it. I pulled the dipstick and there was no coolant in the oil, and still isn't, but that's not a surefire way to tell. It's buyer beware, and I should have insisted on taking it down to the shop for a full inspection instead of just doing a good once-over in his driveway. Live and learn. Now I need to decide if I want to replace the head gasket. I'd honestly rather have a turbocharged motor in this car. It's nice enough to warrant an engine swap.

Oh boy that really stinks, sounds like its time for judge Judy....unless it was cheap....

I wonder what type of thermostat was used by the shop? That may be what cause the issue. I've read that the thermostat is the one thing that should not be an after market part.

Just an fyi, if you go Turbo on this car you will need a whole parts car. You need the linkages, Alda and other numerous parts. I also think you'll need the transmission plus drive line plus exhaust....

pawoSD · #18 02-07-2013, 11:20 PM

That is a beautiful early W123!!! If the engine is indeed bad I'd swap in a good used engine and keep on driving!

kerry · #19 02-07-2013, 11:32 PM

The rest of the story sheds significantly more light on the symptoms. It is a very nice car and well worth a swap. I'd got with a turbo engine myself.

77horses · #20 02-08-2013, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

The rest of the story sheds significantly more light on the symptoms. It is a very nice car and well worth a swap. I'd got with a turbo engine myself.

I just saw you have a Wanderlodge and I am jealous. I've always wanted one. Have thought about looking for one this year.

kerry · #21 02-08-2013, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77horses

I just saw you have a Wanderlodge and I am jealous. I've always wanted one. Have thought about looking for one this year.

I just put mine up for sale.

Bluebird Wanderlodge Motorhome

Stretch · #22 02-08-2013, 01:31 AM

I know it isn't my choice - and it has nothing to do with me - but an engine swap seems to be a pretty extreme way of fixing a head gasket to me...

...no matter what the previous owner did or didn't do. These engines have nice solid cast iron parts - get 'em skimmed if necessary and put it back together. I think that that's a better bet than putting in a "good" but unknown engine - in my automotive experience it is always better the devil you know.

t walgamuth · #23 02-08-2013, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

I know it isn't my choice - and it has nothing to do with me - but an engine swap seems to be a pretty extreme way of fixing a head gasket to me...

...no matter what the previous owner did or didn't do. These engines have nice solid cast iron parts - get 'em skimmed if necessary and put it back together. I think that that's a better bet than putting in a "good" but unknown engine - in my automotive experience it is always better the devil you know.

I agree with this. A little blowby is nothing to worry about. If the car started easily it is probably a sound engine. A non functioning thermostat will definately cause trouble.

If you paid a price for the car as if it had no head gasket problem you may have recourse to get the seller to either repair it or take the car back.

Simpler=Better · #24 02-08-2013, 07:59 AM

I would pressure/leakdown test the cooling system, and do a compression/leakdown test.

If the exhaust isn't pressurizing the cooling system, and there is no coolant loss I would imagine you're safe.

Worst case, a new head gasket and bolts is around $200, budget in an additional $150 for consumables and unforseens.

t walgamuth · #25 02-08-2013, 09:18 AM

[QUOTE=Simpler=Better;3096704]I would pressure/leakdown test the cooling system, and do a compression/leakdown test.

i agree with this. At the low mileage indicated, you should not need anything much except the gaskets. I'd take the head to the machine shop too to check it for warpage, though its an iron head so there is a good chance it is not. I'd also get it skimmed for an excellent seal on reassembly.
These benz diesels are a pleasure to work on with high quality bolts which almost never break.

77horses · #26 02-08-2013, 10:19 AM

I haven't even looked at the labor guide. How long should this job take an experienced mechanic?

kerry · #27 02-08-2013, 10:50 AM

In my opinion, the decision to replace or fix is directly correlated with the altitude at which a person drives. If you regularly drive above 7500 ft, the difference in performance between an NA and turbo is enough to justify the effort to put in a turbo engine. at 10,000 ft, the turbo is like a second engine.