I am about the replace a head gasket on this car and was wondering if there are any special need to know tricks or concerns about this job
thanks for any info
mark

Hi Mark.

Oh, where to begin...

If you post under the Diesel Discusion Forum, the dieselheads there might spot the question sooner and be able to help you better. Of course, it might help if you can post with the answers to some preliminary questions, such as:

How many miles on the engine, and why you are replacing the head gasket? Any other unusual symptoms, such as excessive oil consumption?

Do you have the factory manual with its instructions, torque values and installation sequence?

Are you familiar with engine head removal and reinstallation in general?

What sort of tricks did you have in mind?

Anyway, welcome to MercedesShop.

Best Regards,
Jim

Make sure after you get the head off that you measure the piston height for each cylinder as these engines are famous for bending rods. Does you engine burn oil?

There are 2 bolts on the inside front edge of the timing chain cavitity that go into the timing chain cover.

There is a specific sequence for loosening the cam bearing towers. If you don't do it right, there's a good chance you'll break the cam. As in it will snap.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I just replaced the gasket on my S350. E-mail me if you need any help or drawings. Be sure to have the head checked at a good shop for valve guides and seals while it is off. You will need some special tools to pull the timing chain guides, plus a special socket for removing the head bolts. You also need the special timing tool to set the pump timing back to specs. Unless you have access to all these tools, you need to find a Mercedes mechanic to help you. Pretty good little job, but if you are a competent mechanic it is not too bad.

__________________
1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K

For the head bolts, you can get a 10-mm double or triple hex bit at most auto parts stores. The bit slips into a 1/2" socket so you can use your ratchet and torque wrench with it.

I was able to replace the cylinder head of my SDL without touching IP timing. I suppose it's worth checking just the same.

oldsouth, do you mean the A-B light tool or the timing lock tool?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I used the A-B light tool. When I had the head off, I turned the engine over several times with the crankshaft looking in the holes and measuring piston clearance. My timing was off a little upon re-assembly.

You can just replace the gasket without removing the cam with a long socket, but if I went to the trouble to take the head off I would remove the camshaft and have the head gone over. How many miles are on your car?

__________________
1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K

The car has 160K on it he head gasket is leaking oil . The seals in the turbo are also gone so i was going to have it rebuilt and also have the inj pump looked at .
Mark

$$$$$$$$$$$

I have done all three in my 270,000 miles.

__________________
1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K

I have the locking tool for the pump but not the light for checking the timing i'll need to locate that