PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - So I Bought a Rod Bender

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So I Bought a Rod Bender

I did the unthinkable and bought a 1991 350SDL with 268k on it. She runs very smooth and no smoke. The car is clean and everything works on it. I have never ridden in or driven a better Mercedes. I bought it cheap enough so I could pursue some options should it be a dud.

Even though she's as smooth as silk and doesn't smoke, even when I push her, she IS using some oil. A new valve cover gasket reduced the oil loss significantly but she still goes through a quart every 1,000 to 1,500 miles. There is oil getting into the intake and seeping around the rubber boost connection and at the over boost protection relay. When tubing from the filter housing to the turbo is removed there is oil puddle in the turbo intake housing lip. I put new seals in the turbo and this did not solve the issue. Removal of the oil filler cap while the engine is running shows no blowby. I know that is NOT the most definitive test but a layman's way of testing. I held my thumb over the vc vent tube to air intake tube while the engine was running and it did build pressure but no engine shut down occurred after a good while.

This car is not a necessity for me so I don't really need to do anything to it to protect any "investment." I'm NOT going to obsess over the car. I have access to a short block from a 3.0 SDL and will over the course of time piddle with the car should it die on me. I also have a very strong, smooth running, healthy 5 cyl in an old '84 SD that I'd consider putting into the '91 just for kicks. I haven't found very much info on here in the archives that deals with putting a 5 cyl turbo engine into a later model w126. Any pointers?

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilslick (Post 3397619)

Good luck!

I have a rod bender and love it!

There is almost always oil on the intake lip of the turbo compressor housing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselPaul (Post 3397672)

There is almost always oil on the intake lip of the turbo compressor housing.

This is do not doubt BUT when I remove the crossover pipe from the turbo to the intake and run the engine you can see the oil work it's way to the top of the opening and jump out! Oil is coming from that side. EGR is blocked off also.

IF, and I do mean IF, this car runs this smoothly and it has a bent rod then I can't even begin to think how well she'd run in perfect condition.

Mine uses about a quart every 2000 miles. Runs smooth as silk. I drive it daily putting about 30k miles a year. This week, I changed to Mobil 1 15W50 to see if the oil consumption slows down. Just turned over 325k miles. I really enjoy this car. :)

I love my rod bender too.

Only because I have a spare 3.0 block sitting around waiting to get all the nice parts off of it when it finally lets go. :)

If you bought the turbo kit from m************, there is a note in the instructions about the side clearance on the turbine groove where the seal sits. I don't remember the tolerance, but how is yours? Obviously, a ring groove that is too wide is going to let oil leak around the seals.

I love this car! I may just need to get a new turbo cartridge and see if that helps.

I want a rod bender W140...

Yikes

I have a 1990 ex-rod bender with Factory rod and head gasket campaign 120,000 miles ago. Currently 190,000 miles no smoke , starts instantly, tremendous torque with standing acceleration . It has used a quart every 2000 miles at 80 mph for over 10 years. Mostly from a small IP leak at the bottom. Magnificent Automoblie:cool:

Yeah, I need to put one of these on my Mercedes bucket list....just to say I've owned one.

So I Bought a Rod Bender

Have had mine for about three years and 50,000 miles. Love it! Has 230K on the clock and I drive it about 400-500 miles a week. Engine replaced by prior owner. I hope to keep this car long term. Super comfortable and great out on the road... Glad I purchased this fine automobile!

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I really like the W126, and if the 3.5 didn't have the oil consumption issue I think it's the best motor you could get in that car. The extra low end torque is really great.

I *had* a rod bender, which suddenly started consuming a quart of oil every 150-200 miles. So we swapped a 3.0 shortblock into it. It's really not a difficult job and was worth it.

My personal opinion is that a quart of oil every 1000 miles is not out of the ordinary for a 20+ year old turbo car with over 250K on it.... I'd drive it until it really started drinking the oil.

so sorryh for you,some engines were alright,but not many.If the block is not damaged yet,buy new rods and pistons.much better grade.

I'm not upset with the car...

I bought it knowing that more than likely the engine would be a "time bomb." I'll drive it until I can't afford to put oil in it or it explodes. LOL! In the meantime I will start getting my materials together for either a 3.0 short block or put a 617 turbo and trans in the 126.