Jason that dealer is full of crap.A dealerships prime function is to sell cars.Pulling the head our heads is a no brainer.accepting that you have the tech lit.Find a respected machine shop in your area.Everyone has one.Give them the head our heads.They will tell you exactily what is needed you will turn a job of thousands to one of hundereds.Michael

Jason - book a slot with Steve's. You'd be in good hands.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Hello Jason,

I havnt seen you in MBCA technical in a long time.

Well, how much have you put in the car so far? From what I remember I think it was a lot. If you invested a lot into the car already, and like it a lot, and dont plan on ever getting your money back out of it (selling it I mean), then fix it.

I would say sell it, find another one. How much is your car worth? Honestly, if you do put that much money in your car, do plan on keeping it. You will not be able to resell it and get your money out of it. I have seen 87 126 models from $4,000.00 to $8,000.00 in St. Louis. That is about what they are worth here.

by the way,

I forgot to mention, the MB dealer quoted me $2000.00 for a valve job (parts and labor), so $5000.00 is high.

Unless you are planning to hide the cars condition, it is probably economically sound to repair the car even if you sell it. A car with such an unknown condition is virtually unsellable.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Without knowing anything about my particular case, are the engines in 420SELs in general known to have my kind of problem mainly due to valve seals and guides, or possibly piston rings? I am planning on keeping the car. I really haven't spent that much on it (a little over 2 grand this year, close to four last year (including $800 on tires) and virutally nothing the year before) I have been looking at the car in a new light recently and I honestly can't justify junking it. The body and interior are in such good condition that it would be a shame to unload it.

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Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

Jason,

420s were known for timing chain problems. Haven't seen nearly as many 560s or 380s for that matter with broken chains. Hell, one of the 420SELs I had, an '86 with 86K on it had the chain break, causing the #4 piston to hit the valve so hard that it scored the bore in the block. Engine was basically junk after that, as MB does not recommend re-sleeving their blocks. I sold that car since I had no time to put an engine in it. The other 420SEL (which I still own) also had the chain break at 102K. I redid the engine (block was ok) and she's as good as new. But, you know, for $15 grand, you can get one helluva nice 6.9!

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Regards,
Aaron

Wow, I didnt know of that problem before on the 420's.

I always though MB chains were reliable and rarely broke. The 84 300D turbo that I have just turned 100,000 a couple months ago, I took it to the dealer wanting to put a new one on but they said not to worry about it that it can go another 25,000 miles which is like eternity for a car thats never really driven and just sits in the garage all day.

My other two MBs have been pretty good with timing chain. So would you recomend more frequent changes in timing chain, like every 80,000 miles instead?

I had my timing chain on the 300SE replaced along with a major overhaul. Barely 3 months later it snapped. Fortunately, it was under the workshop warranty, so I had a new set of valves and pistons replaced free of charge.

If you did say its a known problem on the 420, is it also likely that it could be a problem with the 300SE? I mean, a timing chain just don't snap as they like, would it?

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

I think your dealer is full of crap. $5000 for a V8 valve job is insane. And I am skeptical of their diagnosis. If the valve guides were worn enough to oil and foul the plugs, you would definitely see blue smoke out the exhaust when coasting down from highway speed. A fuel injection problem could easily cause your rough idle, as could lots of other minor problems. If you like the car, and it is in good condition, I'd take it to a good independent shop that is experienced with MBs (this is imperative) and have them inspect it and offer an opinion/estimate. If it really needs a valve job, have them do the timing chains at the same time. I would avoid the dealer at all costs, as they are generally not interested in working on older cars and will miss no opportunity to gouge you.
Good Luck,
Colin