M103 discussion thread.

[86560SEL]

Originally Posted by TimFreeh

IMHO anybody that buys a 17 year old car with 188k on the clock for 3K and then hopes it will go another 60K miles without needing any major work is looking at the world through rose colored glasses.

Thats only if you buy a 80s-90s Toyota or Lexus isnt it? I agree- most cars for high miles and that price, its normally only a matter of time before major service is required and may be the case for Toyota-Lexus as well, but the last couple of Toyotas-Lexus I have bought were well over 200K and I went another 70K+ before needing anything. My last LS400 was a 1990 and had 276K when I sold it and all it really needed was some A/C work. Engine was still like a new, smooth sewing machine and my current one (1991) has 216K. It had 200K when I bought it for $3200 and this is an exception, as I need some power steering work, as the pump hoses are leaking.

On my last Mercedes (before my current one) was a 1984 190D with 157K, that I got a very good price on, because it had some hail damage, but mechanically, it was like new. I have no doubt that the guy that bought that car would go about 200K with little fanfare.

[Michael K]

Is it loosing coolant? Is is burning excessive oil? Perhaps y'all are over reacting. I bet anyone who kept the body and interior ship shape over 18 years kept up the the mechanical maintenance, too. Change the fluids and filters and see what she does.

[86560SEL]

Originally Posted by mbzman

you can probably tell if your head gasket needs to be done. Oil leaks on the ground where you park as well as an oil block and high oil consumption are indicators. The best thing to do is monitor the oil level and calculate how much is is using per 1000 miles. With that kind of mileage though, I would suspect that the head may have been removed and the gasket replaced at some point during its life.

Interesting questions and I am sure yours will be just fine OM.

MBZMAN - thats some interesting info. I am a relatively new M103 owner, but not new to a W126. I have a 1988 300SEL with 154K miles. I read all about these before I bought it and I must say I was very concerned about head gasket and valve seal issues, but it appears to me my car is void of this problem - at least for now and I am assuming since it has 154K and no problems, that it may have had some work done in the past, but I cannot tell by just looking at the engine. I do not leak or burn ANY oil and there is no smoking. If its not been done, hopefully I can go another 15K-20K with no issues. I only put about 100 miles per week on this car anyway.

[mbzman]

If I recall correctly, the head gasket failure on the M103 does not necessarily affect the running ie. compression of the engine. It is mostly the oil leaking out or into the coolant. I think your best bet would be to insure you change the coolant every 2 years (with the proper MB coolant) and know the amount of oil your car consumes. This way, if your consumption is increasing you will be able to tell that a head gasket is failing and needs replacement.

[86560SEL]

Originally Posted by mbzman

If I recall correctly, the head gasket failure on the M103 does not necessarily affect the running ie. compression of the engine. It is mostly the oil leaking out or into the coolant. I think your best bet would be to insure you change the coolant every 2 years (with the proper MB coolant) and know the amount of oil your car consumes. This way, if your consumption is increasing you will be able to tell that a head gasket is failing and needs replacement.

Thanks - well not sure about the original poster, but I do not have that problem. AFAICT, mine is still fine.

My grandfather has a now out of commission 1990 Mazda 929 with the 3.0L V6 that blew a head gasket and it got tons of oil in the coolant. It was like that for awhile. Never did stop running or overheated, but he had it repaired, but it failed again within a couple of months. He parked it and its been setting since 2003. Ruined now.
It was once a very nice car when he bought it in 1999.

[RBYCC]

Originally Posted by mbzman

If I recall correctly, the head gasket failure on the M103 does not necessarily affect the running ie. compression of the engine. It is mostly the oil leaking out or into the coolant. I think your best bet would be to insure you change the coolant every 2 years (with the proper MB coolant) and know the amount of oil your car consumes. This way, if your consumption is increasing you will be able to tell that a head gasket is failing and needs replacement.

Agree fully...
Rarely does the gasket "blow" from the cylinder.
More likely to be from the oil and water paths.
Usually results more in a slight weeping of fluids rather then a heavy leak !


With the mileage on the OP's vehicle it more then likely had at least one head gasket and probably a front cover gasket replaced.

Would I take a long drive in the car?....Why not !!!

[OM618]

Well,

I decided I would take a trip this weekend before the chilly weather started to creep down into Texas, but when the car is idle I can hear the fuel pump wheezing, so I suppose I ought to replace the fuel filter first...

Hopefully I won't have to replace the pump...

Upon further inspection, I'm quite satisfied the engine is in great shape. It's very clean, which I was suspicious of because some dealers spot wash their engines down to cover up problems, but a closer look has satisfied me that this engine hasn't been recently de-greased, it's really just a very clean engine overall, no leaks...

Also discovered was a round silver badge to the left of the rear license plate which reads along it's radius "Mercedes-Benz Intercontinental Road Club, Houston."

That made my morning, actually!