My 300TE Head Gasket Thread (yes pics!)

[ps2cho]

Finally got around to actually doing it!

PLEASE post any comments/thoughts/suggestions because this is my first engine overhaul I've ever done!

Mid way through. Coffee break with pictures







Possible Misfire cause? Cracked!!







New Belt going on now










Gonna remove the head without the intake side attached. As far as I understand it is possible, but a little more tricky. Less removed = less potential lost items and problems in general.

Thinking of getting my valve cover and exhaust manifolds powder coated too. Silver valve cover and black exhaust manifolds. What do ya guys think

[04 Diesel]

Nice pictures, keep them coming.

[fastcar]

Did you blow head gasket ?

[Ivanerrol]

Is that a plastic thermostat housing I spy?
While you are about things changeout to a metal one is a good idea.

Keep those fotos coming.

[J.HIDALGO]

but I am taking my time. However, I do recommend powder coating your valve cover but, not your exhaust manifolds. There is a special coating used for the manifolds. I used a metal coating for mine. This was done a few years back and still look good (I think). I will post pictures after I am done...

[ps2cho]

Originally Posted by fastcar

Did you blow head gasket ?

Not sure. I have a misfire and there is some leakage from the head gasket coupled with an air leak between cylinders. It's gotta be done. I also have a huge coolant loss at the rear of the engine.

Here she is!!



















Here are each of the cylinders in order 1-6. How do they look?















Here is my coolant leak it looks like:






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Overall took me about 8hours including breaks. Didn't run into any major problems which was nice. A bit fiddly taking off the head without the intake manifold and items attached, but I think it was well worth it. Less hassle on putting everything back in.

Gonna take the head to a machine shop on Monday and get them to skim it and check everything over.

[ps2cho]

Where can I find the threaded Freeze plug that is for Cylinder #6??? All I find is the non-threaded one that goes on 1-5...but I need a new one for 6. Finally got it off and there is so much corrosion inside its completely blocked. That freeze plug was my coolant leak 100% sure

[pawoSD]

Yikes....I hope ours with 134k has either already had that done....or won't need it for a while! Any ideas why yours needed it so early with only 90k on it?

[ps2cho]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Yikes....I hope ours with 134k has either already had that done....or won't need it for a while! Any ideas why yours needed it so early with only 90k on it?

The car pretty much sat unused for most of its life. 5 previous owners too. I bought the car from the last guy who had it under a tree for 9 months. This is the reason why the interior is in great shape and so is the engine in general. All my problems are gasket related in reality. All my vacuum hoses were solid as a rock before I swapped em out.

[MBeige]

Are you doing the water pump at the same time?

Hope you can make it in time for the SoCal GTG

SoCal meet, anyone? January 10, 2009

[dka-66]

what did you use for vacuum hoses, Mine are also hard as a rock and need to be replaced.

[Ivanerrol]

Looks like this. However labeled as an oil galley plug of a 380 engine.

[johnjzjz]

the collection of the brown paste behind the block plug that is leaking is someone years back replaced the OEM antifreeze with the stuff we use to have in the USA that is not compatible with alloy headed motors - and the water they put in with it is loaded with iron - we have always used distilled water ( stuff used in an Iron ) is the only water allowed in an alloy blocks - headed motors -

ALSO their is a picture that to me shows a slight head gasket seep - its the #6 cylinder on the exhaust side towards the front of the motor looking at it 7 o'clock - its looks as if some kind of fluid combustion transfer was going on -

at first when I read this I was not sure of the mileage but after seeing the engines inside condition shown in pictures it looks about right oil changes were done on time or before , as far as cleaning out the cooling system I would not put any of the caustic stuff they sell for that purpose, I would fill it with water only and every day for 2 or 3 days drain the block, take it to work and back ( block drain plug is on the side close to the leaking plug on the earlier car don't know about yours ) and flush out the rad then I would put in the pento stuff I like the blue and swap it out every 30,000 miles - the red is forever well nothing is forever - care must be taken not to get the little bits while cleaning into the cylinders and chain case area use PAPER towels not rags ( RAGS leave material lint every place they have been and you cant get it out of the very small places ) as far as the exhaust is concerned you cant powder them the fumes will choke you to death while its burning off ( forever ) - the only thing is by a company called Jet Hot in PA http://www.jet-hot.com/import.html ( they do drag car headers and it does not come off my guess $3oo or so to do the small MB manifolds looks as if you are on the path to getting it done good luck -- jz

[ps2cho]

Perfect John! Yes sorry I didn't mean powder coating...wrong name for it sorry.

I am trying to find the Zerex G-05 which I understand is THE best coolant for our Benz's...it seems to be hard to find locally though as most places have discontinued it now.

Thanks for the tip about paper towels...but luckily I was doing that already as it soaks up better

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That looks like the plug Ivan. Can I be sure it should fit? Last thing I would want is this engine to continue to lose coolant at the rate it is right now (full to empty light in a week).


Here is a better picture of it:

[Ivanerrol]

Here is the part available from another parts seller. The Freeze plugs are 34mm. I suspect the part you need is the same.
Get the part numbers from this listing and ring the forum sponsors. I cant find it on their parts list. It maybe labeled something else. Note that you need to use a small rubber gasket with this part.

I have checked the same plug on my M103 engine. It's exactly the same as the one in your foto except mine is as clean as - pristine (150K Kilometres)

http://www.discountmbparts.com/catalog/?N=11152+4294965652+1668+8479