BESIDES GETTING MY RADIATOR NECK RAPLACED WITH THE NEW MBZ UPDATED ONE. SINCE THE STOCK ONE WILL EVENTUALLY BRAKE. WHAT OTHER STOCK SYSTEMS OR PARTS IN MY CAR COULD USE A SIMILAR (IF ANY!) IMPROVED MAINTENANCE SURGERY? YOUR SINCERE RESPONSES ARE APPRECIATED.......

One of the only weak points of the engine is the timing chain & tensioner. There is a modified version of the chain tensioner.

Get that timming chain checked soon.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Here are a few items. You already know about the radiator, but their is more to it. The top radiator hose connects to your thermostat housing. Their is an updated thermostat housing that has a metal ring inside of it too. If you don't replace it then it will break just like the radiator (it's only $15 though). The water pump has been updated, the new one has a drain valve. The front engine cover has been updated four times, which includes an updated oil pump as well. Do get the updated version because the old one does not get enough oil on the timing chain, this could be real bad if you do allot of hard driving. As has already beem stated, get the updated timing chain tensioner, might as well change the timing chain while you are at it. You do not want the timing chain tensioner breaking, and the original one is defective and will fail. To perform these changes will take about 15 hours plus parts. The parts will be around $650 to replace everything I have just listed. Also their is a plastic clip that can break on the throttle cable. See my post in "The Pro's Tech Tips" entitled "Throttle cable clip breaking". That will only cost you a dollar.

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Adrian Eckenrod
MBCA, PCA, BMWCCA & SCCA* member
86 190 2.3-16
83 944 ITS Racer

[This message has been edited by RAE190 (edited 04-15-99).]

HEY ADRIAN! OVER HERE IN SOUTHERN CA. WHERE WOULD I BE ABLE TO PURCHASE ALL THE PARTS YOU MENTIONED? - HOW OFTEN DO YOU ADJUST YOUR VALVE CLEARANCES ON YOUR 86-16V?.

All the parts except the water pump and thermostat housing, I bought from Bekkers Import. For things like that their price is usually just as good as any. Some of their high performance accesories are rather high priced though (probably due to the fact that they are hard to find from anyone else). But their service is excellent. That is important when you are talking about updated parts, some places don't have the knowledge to inform you of the latest part available. I adjust my valve clearance about twice a year, more if I think their is a problem. But I do allot of track events with the car too.

THANKS ADRIAN, YOUR RESPONSE'S ARE APPRECIATED!