Engine Removal M112.912

[umail]

Re: 2002 Mercedes C240 Auto, no 4matic


Is it possible to remove the engine and transmission thru the engine bay? I do not have a lift to drop the engine from the bottom ...

Thanks,
Umail

[Ferdman]

umail, I take it you mean you don't have a lift to drop the transmission. Don't think it's possible to drop the engine on any automobile with a front-mounted engine. Having said that as far as I know the engine/transmission combination are removed from above on the typical MB automobile. In your case you will need to jack the car up high enough to accommodate the angled engine/transmission on an engine hoist.

[umail]

Ferdman,

Thanks for the reply .... so to clarify what I am trying to say:

I want to remove the engine attached to the transmission thru the engine bay.

Are you saying that I need to jack up the car high enough to make sure the tailpiece of transmission is able to clear the ground as I angle the engine and transmission out the engine bay?

Thanks,
Umail

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by umail

Ferdman,

Thanks for the reply .... so to clarify what I am trying to say:

I want to remove the engine attached to the transmission thru the engine bay.

Are you saying that I need to jack up the car high enough to make sure the tailpiece of transmission is able to clear the ground as I angle the engine and transmission out the engine bay?

Thanks,
Umail

That is the only way you are going to remove the powerpack, you would be really when you see that to reach the bell bolts you need to morph into 8 jointed arms and fingers

raise the car - stick some jackstands under it - total clearance about 2 feet is good I think - you can then tilt and lift the powerpack out of the vehicle.

[umail]

Thanks Zulfiqar was the info ...

That was my main concern if I tried to separate the transmission and engine ... those bolts look too tight to really get a wrench on them properly ...

I will make preparations to begin the process ... this will be my first time removing an engine ... glad I have plenty of time..

Thanks,
Umail

[Ferdman]

umail, yes ... the car needs to be raised high enough so the tailpiece of the transmission doesn't contact the ground when you angle the engine/transmission out of the engine bay. If the car isn't high enough when you start, it will be awkward raising it with the engine/transmission attached to an engine hoist.

[pawoSD]

It shouldn't be that hard on that car, make the hood vertical before you begin, that will help too.

The modern ones are practically easier than the old ones!

Why do you need to remove the engine/trans? What failed?

[umail]

PawoSD,

Thanks for the reply ...

Engine issues ...

When I accelerate .. heavy gray/white smoke cloud ....#1 cylinder misfire code .... burning oil but no blue smoke .. coolant level stays the same ...

1. Very low compression(115) in 3 of the cylinders while the others were 165 ...

2. Leakdown test showed leakage from throttle plate .....

3. #1 cylinder plugs were oil coated

I was thinking it was better to get another engine than having someone try and rebuild it ....

[pawoSD]

How many miles on the engine?

[jake12tech]

There's a few of these cars in the yards now that isn't worth it to rebuild it. Take a look around the yards, or on Craigslist part outs (which are usually from the wreckers anyway).

Yes, I'm curious about your mileage also. The M112 is a solid motor that can handle a lot of abuse before it kicks the bucket. Had to have been abused under another ownership.

[umail]

pawoSD and jake12tech,


Mileage is 132000 ....

Previous owner indicated that the car had been serviced, but I found out that it was not actually serviced as needed over the years ...

Eventually found that there was a serious sludge buildup from neglect ....


Do I need to remove the radiator and condenser to remove this engine and transmission? Also should I get a 1-ton or 2-ton hoist?

Thanks,
Umail

[jake12tech]

Yep, just like I assumed. Lack of oil changes and service will kill an engine quicker than rabbits get laid.

1 ton will do. Unless you plan on removing 4000 pound motors, 2 tons just isn't necessary.

[pawoSD]

I would remove the radiator and cross support for extra room, will make the job much easier and eliminates possible damage to the radiator.

Man, 132k....that's a young death for a M112 engine. Mine has 136k and runs like new. Its all about the maintenance/oil changes.

[jake12tech]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I would remove the radiator and cross support for extra room, will make the job much easier and eliminates possible damage to the radiator.

Man, 132k....that's a young death for a M112 engine. Mine has 136k and runs like new. Its all about the maintenance/oil changes.

Yes, or the engine turns out like this three year old E350:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4BqDv6W280

[pawoSD]

I think the E350 motor had its own set of issues, the M112 seems to be one of the most durable to date other than the minor issue with balancers which was a supplier defect.