Well, I got through my ex'es mom's brake job and now she tells me she's burning 1 qt. of oil every 500-600 miles and smoking a lot. It's an '88 560sl with 79,500 miles. She says there are no drips or puddles under the car, so I assume this is major engine damage here. I'm having her take it in for a compression check and some other diagnostics. But can anyone here tell me about the normal life expectancy of this engine and what a rebuild costs? I told her it was probably a huge and expensive job and she still said she wanted to keep the car at all costs. So what could she be looking at here? Thanks.

I can't imagine needing an engine rebuild at that low a milage unless something has been severely neglected. You may just need new valve stem seals. How does the car run otherwise?

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Jim

I've only driven it once for a few miles to test the new brakes. It seemed fine to me. But smoke and high oil consumption cannot be a small problem. I don't know anything about engines except those on Porsches. Valve stem seals sound like engine removal and major work. Is that true?

This may help.

560sl leaky valves

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Eric, 1983 500 SL

Sounds to me like a set of seals would fix it. A involved DIY project but doable, I'd do a chain and upper guides at the same time, dont forget the tensioner. At that milage, the bottem end and guides should, notice I said should be ok.


Joe

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Project Smoker, '87 603 powered wagon
Hauler, 96 CTD can you say torque?
Toy 73 Cougar xr7 convertible
Acme Automotive Inc.
Raleigh NC
919-881-0364

Opps, before you dive in, make sure the vacum modulator on the tranny is not leaking, They'll burn ATF asnd smoke pretty good.

Joe

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Project Smoker, '87 603 powered wagon
Hauler, 96 CTD can you say torque?
Toy 73 Cougar xr7 convertible
Acme Automotive Inc.
Raleigh NC
919-881-0364