w124's head is off, now what?
 

This site is so great!

I used the manual in conjuction with the posts I printed from this site and it came off without a hitch. My buddy thought I had done this before due to my indepth knowledge.

I removed the pin from the chain guide and removed the head without breaking the guide. Getting everything apart was easy, putting it back together should go smooth. the manual is very clear, and if I can give one tip, have the correct tools, if you do not you will waste time and break things. The head took 6 hours to remove.

Questions:

I was going to use gasket remover spray to get rid of the old stuff as well as some break cleen. Any thought or tips.

The injectors had caked on carbon like deposits..brake Kleen againg for these?

I was then going to give both surfaces a quick pass with some super fine scotch brite pad.

Any recomends onthe cleaning process would be great, i do not want to make a stupid mistake now. I read some guy polished the cylinder heads? I don't really want to go that far.

I have taken pictures and some video that I plan to make into short quick times for certain trick aspects of this job.


It is satruday night and I hope to get started tomorrow.

Thanks again for the posts, and paul, thanks for the extra tips.

John:

Glad to hear you removed the cylinder head with no problems. How does it look? If I were you I'd take it to a machine shop (call different MB shops and ask who they use) and have it restored and have the seals/guides replaced if necessary. Money well spent. For valves seals/guides and to clean up the head should be no more than $300. Here's some before and after pics of my m103 head after head gasket replacement:

http://www.members.aol.com/vandrysen/head2.jpg
http://www.members.aol.com/vandrysen/head.jpg
http://www.members.aol.com/vandrysen/m103_10.jpg

Good luck! Be sure and replace that chain guide!

I agree with Paul - get a good automotive machine shop involved in making it like new. They will take care of all of the necessary cleaning.

w124 head pictures
 

Thanks for the adivce on the machine shop. I would love to but the cash is tight. I know I am already there but I can get there again if I have to and I tested the compression and all #'s were good and equal. Any thing to avoid while cleaning?

Here are some pictures.... look at the injector, normal crud for 170k?

injectors
 

Injectors

Head
 

Head...

Head close up
 

Head close up...

Not too late.
 

Just had my first cup of coffee, waiting for replys like this from experienced wrench's.. Thanks for the tip..

At 170K, I would very strongly suggest you find a way to do the valve guides. I know what being ''short of cash', means but you owe it to yourself. when done, you can forget about the top end for an other 150K+.
Do not clean the tip of the injectors with anything abrasive. You'll ruin them. Only liquids and rags. If you can find some toluene, it would be the best stuff to clean it. I would also check the head with a straight edge to make sure it is not wrapped.
Good luck
jackD

I'm with Jack - with that milage it will be well worth your time to scrap the $$ together to have a machine shop go through that head. Shouldn't cost more than around $300.

one more question
 

I am going to check my credit limit and see if I can swing it. I found a machine shop through this web site in my area.

I purchased the "head gasket kit" these copper,aluminuim and rubber washers came with the kit and I do not see any reference to them in the manual any ideas.

Of all the engines you could have apart, this is the most important one in which to replace the valve guides. After all this work, not changing them would be a shame and I'm quite sure you would be very disappointed in the resut.

These engines respond to headwork very well. I did mine a couple of years ago and it now uses NO oil and runs great.

Good luck,

I agree that it would be extemely foolish to not send the head to a machine shop to get renewed. You've gone to the trouble to get the head off, why not get it cleaned up, get the valves checked out, etc.?

At minimum, you have to replace the valve guides. You can only replace the guides with the head off. The valve seals can be repalced with the head on, but these should be replaced anyway.

Another benefit of taking your cylinder head to a machine shop, is that you'll have two days to do some more work on your engine :D , like removing/resealing the timing cover and replacing the chain guide and tensioner rail. Then you'll really have peace of mind for the next 150k+.

If this is your daily driver then it may not be feasible but I'd definitely find a way, since you've gone this far.

When these engines have the head gaskets replaced, does the
new gasket last longer? Was there a design flaw on the
originals or is 150K - 200K the service life of the gasket? It's
amazing, though, to think that the 103 engine gets a head
gasket when other engines and cars are junked.