Hello-We are having a lot of difficulty with this beautiful car.It has 233,000 miles and all original dealer service records (which we come to find out aint saying much after our experience with them on another car we have-a Volvo).We recently went to 2 different places that work on German cars (we live here in Bakersfield CA) and I am absolutely amazed at the difference in diagnosis and opinions.One said we only have one bad cylinder (75,425,425,425,425) while the other said we have 2 (75,435,400,425,20) the latter one suggested engine in a crate to the tune of about $9500 while the other one said it needs a valve job for about $1200.With that said we have looked in the books and we were under the impression that maybe a valve job and timing chain are in order.Its mileage is not that good (maybe 18 or 19 ) and the engine does a lot of shaking.As well the engine in a crate guy says that these cars very seldom go over 300,000 miles,its just a myth.Now with that in mind if I may be so gracious to ask of you kind people the following. A.What should I do and or who do I trust? B.What would be normal and resonable for servicing this car to make it run and last to what I believe it should? C.Do you know of any places where I can bring it to around my area that a good job will be done.I would be very greatful and thank you for your time (sorry if I rattle on too much)

Mrdhh,

First I would find out what caused the discrepancy in the compression reading in #5 cylinder. Then I would check the valve clearance on the valves especially in cylinder #1 and #5.

Did they do a wet and dry compression test? This will usually determine whether it is the rings or valves that is causing the low compression readings.

P E H

Is Bakersfield near LA?

Alot of folks on here swear by Enrique in LA if it is not too far away.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=11577&highlight=enrique

Tell em Ashman sent you.

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Jim

i agree with engatwork - if you can limp on down to L.A., it would probably be well worth it. while i have no direct experience with enrique (i plan on seeing him sometime soon though), people on this board swear by his work.

no doubt he'll give you a true assessment...

EDIT: oh, you may want this:

Mr. MB Motors
Enrique Rodriguez
5557 Reseda Blvd.
Tarzana, CA 91356
818-708-8086

You have all been very helpful and I am very greatful.I am going to type what he said and we paid $275.00 for.
"engine has excessive blowby.Check compression 1-25,2-435,3-425,4-400,5-75.Remove radiator fan and shroud check cylinder leakage on 1-90%2-20%4-18%.cylinders 3 and 5 could not be checked,crankshaft damper does not have markers.5th cylinder does not have enough compression to check piston at TDC.This engine has a combination of valve and ring problems.Exact problems can not be determined without removal and disassembly of cylinder head and block.Turbocharger appears to be o.k.Trap oxidizer is probably plugged due to engine blowby.Rear muffler is wet from diesel fuel return lines leaking."
He did fix the fuel leak the #1 injection pump port.Now I do not know why he did that if I need a new engine or was he trying to justify the $275.00.Again would be very greatful for your help.Bakersfield is about 1 and half hours from Reseda.Unfortunately in this condition I do not think it would make it over the Grapevine Mountain.I could flat bed it,if I know good people who are trustworthy are going to make it run the way it is suppose to.Thank you

Something does not sound right here. When was the last time the valves were adjusted? That should be the first thing done in this case and it can be done for under $275. A competent technician can remove the cam cover and tell pretty much where the pistons are by taking a look at the cam lobes for that cylinder. How long have you known these guys that are attempting to sell you an engine rebuild? Is the engine burning oil? If it is not burning oil I would be hard pressed to take the bottom end apart. That #5 cylinder might be tired but you can get a compression reading out of it no matter how tired it is. Removing the fan and fan shroud ain't going help with these type diagnostics.

Based on what I have read about Enrique I think it would be worth your time and effort to get it over there and leave it with him a couple days. If the car has been "dealer" serviced all these years it should not require an engine. I think someone is just trying to sell you an engine.

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Jim

Take it to Enrique. Drive it down or haul it. Just get it there.

He's owned Mercedes diesels personally all of his adult life, and worked on them at Mercedes dealers in Europe, South America, Beveryly Hills, and at his own shop for the past 5 years or so.

He's honest and extremely reasonable. His labor rate is $60/ hour, which is what the guys at Pep Boys charge.

There is a guy who even trucked his car down from Montana, and Enriques diagnosis and fix saved him over $10,000.

Tell him Alon and Paul sent you.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Hi! I live in Bakersfield too. I would be interested in knowing what shops you took your MBZS to. Whatever you do, don't take it to Sanghera. Eurasian Auto, on 34th and K is excellent. Also, Stockdale Automotive is very good. Both shops are extremely reasonable and quick. Give them a try!

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1982 300sd 240,000 miles
1989 300ce 126,000 miles (Sold)
1992 300se 82,000 miles (Sold)
1997 c230 97,000 miles
1997 Acura 3.0CL 32,000 miles(Sold)
1994 Honda Accord EX 67,000 (Sold)
1994 Honda Accord LXC 48,000 (Sold)
1993 Ford Explorer E.B. 80,000 (Sold
1993 Honda Civic DX 52,000 (Sold)
1987 Nissan Pulsar 85,000 (Sold)
1984 Honda Prelude 125,000 (Sold)

After a string of $$$ problems too numerous to mention, Enrique straightened them all out. My MB runs like a watch following a painstaking engine rebuild. He worked very hard to save me money -- and did.

Actually, he's a Spaniard from South Africa. Ask him about driving a 230 fintail across the desert for hours at more than 100 mph.

If it's not too much trouble, I'd flatbed your car over the hill.

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'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate

So that explains the accent.

Actually, Enrique is a Spaniard from Spain. He went to South Africa as an adult. He became a Mercedes dealer technician in Spain, and continued to do so at a Mercedes dealer in South Africa. Both of his children were born in South Africa, but since immigrating to the U.S., all have become U.S. citizens.

He also worked at a Mercedes dealer in South America, but I don't remember which country.

After coming to the U.S., he worked at two different dealers in Southern California (Beverly Hills and Thousand Oaks) until he opened his own shop in his early fifties.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

"He did fix the fuel leak the #1 injection pump port.Now I do not know why he did that if I need a new engine "

An injection pump is probably not included with the price of an engine. It is $1200+ new, and a good $700 for a rebuilt unit. Not to mention many hours of R&R time... unless the motor is already pulled.

Anyways, I think anyone who wants to sell you a crate motor for $9500 installed should be left in the dust. He didn't even pull the head or perform a leak down test on two cylinders ... that is absurd.

If worst comes to worst, buy a low mileage motor from Potomac German Auto and have a competant mechanic install it. It would cost a few grand max for the motor, and a good 20 hours of labor. That comes out to about $5000.

I was quoted $5,000 for a new 300D 2.5T Bosch injection pump; $1,400 for a rebuilt from MB unit. Both a bit pricey for a simple fuel delivery system.

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'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate

I thought all the MB rebuild "blue crate motors" came with the injection pump. THey are broken in on a dyno and tested to meet brake HP/Torque.
I thought they were much less than $9500. Guess that's installed=)

IF I was inspecting the motor and it came up low on cylinders. Check valve adjustment and if it's ok- pull the prechamber. Just inspect it visually. Test injectors to see if one is leaking badly.


Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E