I am debating on going ahead and getting the head gasket replaced on my 1995 e320 wagon with 127,000 on the clock. Right now all it is doing is leaking oil out of the rear and out of the timing chain cover in the front. The car does not burn any oil but it does leak about a quart every 3 months. I plan on keeping the car for another 100k if everything holds up. EGR is also plugged.
Question, should I let it go until it has to be replaced or go ahead and spend the money and not worry about it any more. Also, if I did it now should I get the head worked on or just replace the gasket.
On a scale of 1 to 10 how difficult of a job is this. I would like to do it myself or should it be left to a pro.
Thanks

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tgmiller77
1997 Land Rover Discovery 158,000
1995 E320 Wagon 132,000mi
1999 E320 Wagon 97,000mi

Very unlikely you need a valve job, just the head gasket. Here is an article that gives some idea how difficult the job.

http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic100345.html

The EGR is blocked, or the EGR pipe is blocked? The pipe can be cleaned out - try a search above.

if me, i would wait til the car needs a valve job if the oil leakage is tolerable.

i am a thrifty sort who thinks in terms of "what if i am involved in an accident tomorrow, will i lose the cost of the head gasket replacement?"

the answer of coures is yes. so i would wait. who knows you might get tired of the car in a few months anyway and want to trade or sell.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The egr tube is blocked. I guess if I decided to wait on the head gasket I would just clean out the tube. If I did the head gasket now I would get the updated tube and be done with it.
The leakage is tolerable, but the most annoying part is the smell of burning oil as it drips on hot exhaust parts.
I have read a few posts where people are getting 170-200k out of the origional gasket and I guess they lived with leaky cars for a while. I have owned Jaguars and BMWs so I am used to living with oil leaks.

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tgmiller77
1997 Land Rover Discovery 158,000
1995 E320 Wagon 132,000mi
1999 E320 Wagon 97,000mi

Agree with t walgamuth.

I have the 1997 version of the engine and it has the exact same leaks. However, mine does not need oil to be added betwen changes.

The problem is that even if you get it replaced, it will leak again, just a matter when. It is a poor design to have 5 different materials (different expansion rates) at that exact point.

Your wagon is worth about $5k and it could cost you $1500 to get this done.