Pop goes the 16V engine... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dan16V · #1 07-03-2002, 01:58 PM

Ok, I was cruising along the interstate last Saturday, when I suddenly felt a decrease in power. Immediately, smoke started coming out of the back of the car and even into the cabin. I recognized the smell as burning oil. So, I immediately exited and popped the hood. Sure enough, oil was pouring out of the valve cover breather hose. My first thought was a broken ring. After I towed it back home, I took out the spark plugs and the #1 plug was drenched in oil, supporting the broken ring theory. This leaves me confused, as mine only has 130k, and I really took care of it. Do 16Vs have a history of this type of problem? I can't recall ever reading about one case. The next day, I was at the LeMans race in Mid-Ohio and was talking to a business associate from Germany who mentioned that his 190E (8V I think) did the same thing with under 100k miles on it. So...I'm going to pull the engine tomorrow and open 'er up. I'm going to go through the entire engine and beef it up for a turbo.

I've got a few questions:

1. My main question concerns pistons...Where can I acquire turbo pistons? Does anyone make them, or do I have to go with custom JE's? I'd like to lower the compression ratio to about 9.0:1 or so.

2. Where can I find the dimensions I need to get custom ones like compression height, deck height, diameter, etc? Does anyone have these?

4. What about cams? I've heard that stock cams are the best for most turbo applications because turbo cams just increase efficiency. Does anyone have the specs for the stock cams (lift, duration)?

3. Is there anything special I should know about building this engine? I'm aiming for 300HP, which shouldn't be too awful hard to obtain.

Any hints and tips would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and I accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards...

Later,

Jim Villers · #2 07-03-2002, 04:46 PM

Sorry to hear about your latest. I HOPE that it is not a normal event for 16 valves (I have not heard of it before).

Beekers is the only place that I have seen low compression pistons for this engine.

Please post occasionally to let us know of your findings and progress.

adiaw83 · #3 07-04-2002, 12:06 AM

hey Dan16V what kind of light bulbs do you have in those clear corners?

Dan16V · #4 07-04-2002, 12:14 AM

Jim,
I'll keep you posted. I jacked the car up tonight and started removing stuff...I'll pull the engine tomorrow and hopefully start disassembly on Friday. What a way to spend the Fourth of July, huh?

Later,

Dan16V · #5 07-04-2002, 12:15 AM

Adiaw,

They're just some blue bulbs I got on ebay. I don't really like the blue tint, but they're bright white when lit, which is why I got them.

Later,

#6 07-04-2002, 01:55 AM

Why do you want lower compression pistons? Do you have forced induction? If not, I think you want high compression pistons if you want more power.

Anyway, JE pistons are the only ones I can think of for forged pistons if you have forced induction

#7 07-04-2002, 07:55 AM

I have never heard of a 16v doing that before. What brand of turbo were you looking at?

Dan16V · #8 07-04-2002, 09:51 AM

DTM fan,
Like I said in my initial post, I'm going to install a turbo on the engine. That's why I'd like to lower compression a bit.

Benzman,
I've got a Garrett T3 that I think will match the engine perfectly, as I'm planning on running around 10-12 PSI of boost.

Later,

Dan16V · #9 07-04-2002, 05:27 PM

UPDATE:
I just got done pulling the engine. It took me 6 hours from the time I pulled her into the shop until the engine was out. That's not too bad for my very first engine pull. I'm hoping to take the engine apart tomorrow to find out exactly what happened, but I might be stuck if I can't get my hands on the mercedes head bolt socket.

Later,

#10 07-04-2002, 06:27 PM

Sounds pretty good you ganna do anything else while the engine is apart?

Alain V. · #11 07-04-2002, 07:42 PM

Did you get my e-mail,Dan?

#12 07-04-2002, 07:51 PM

nope

Alain V. · #13 07-04-2002, 08:53 PM

Whoops, Sorry Dan(Benzman 500)
,,,,,,,, I didn't realize you & Dan16v had the same names.

It was Dan16v that I was trying to get a hold of, about his broken 16v,,,,,, but it loooks as if he's fixing it himself.

#14 07-04-2002, 08:59 PM

oops did'nt think about that. I was wondering why you would send me an email

Dan16V · #15 07-04-2002, 11:46 PM

Alain, you've got mail...