Oh how I wish this were not the case, but it is! It only has (or, HAD!) 171,000 or so miles on it, and I'm not sure exactly HOW bad the damage is to it, but it has, at MINIMUM, a blown head gasket. Most likely a cracked head, but am not sure without doing the work of dismantling it (rather having the work done, $$) What I AM sure of, though, is that it won't even start now, it just turns about 1/4 to 1/2 turn and then freezes up completely. The last time it was driven, it just kept getting slowly hotter and hotter until I just parked it. Attempts to restart it immediately thereafter were successful (if you want to call it that- it DID start, technically) but had a HUGE white clouds and sputtering to run at all. As I listened to my baby dying, I knew it wasn't good (actually, I'd known it for quite a while, I'd just hoped/prayed that it wasn't going to be that bad...IT WAS!)

Anyway, this happened in July/August 2011, and I've just had it parked and covered up in my backyard ever since, hoping for some sort of divine guidance, I guess! The car's not in 'perfect' mechanical order otherwise, but it's in WAY too good a shape to just sell it for scrap, were I so inclined (which I'm NOT!) I'm hoping that someone here will be able to offer some suggestions as to what my options are (motor replacement, ideally, but I know those motors are near IMPOSSIBLE to come by in any kind of shape to make the labor required worthwhile. I'm also very curious as to what other (if any) motors are able to be placed into the 126 chassis (??!?)

Guys, I'm really hurting here! If you or someone you know has any line on a motor for this car, PLEASE let me know. I don't know for sure that a complete motor replacement is my only option, either... So basically, if you've read this far, please let me know your thoughts, as I'm not a DIY'er, but I've got a couple of great indy guys I trust and can have do the work for me, but I need to know if any option is cost effective enough on a car that's 25+ years old now... all sentimentality aside. And if you or someone you know might be interested in buying it, please let me know of that, as well....

I have wanted to own this car for pretty much most of the last 20 years or so and finally was able to get my hands on one at a fair price and in GREAT shape! Sadly though, I was only able to drive it for less than 6 months before my wife KILLED it, and I don't want to let it go....PLEASE HELP ME! Thanks!

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StuckInFresno

1987 300SDL 171,000 mi = Wife BLEW MOTOR! 7/2011
1997 E300D 109,900 mi = T-Boned/TOTALED! 7/25/10