I'm curious about an APPROXIMATE cost for replacing the head gasket for an '87 SDL. I know that this is a very labor intensive. Mine has a crack on the timing belt cover but I think that the head gasket is leaking also. THe SDL only has 116K miles so it seems like these things are a bit pre-mature.

THanks in advance!
Mark

Your car has no timing belt. The cam is chain driven. How did it crack? These cars had alot of head problems..I wouldn't doubt if the tech gets in there and the head is falty. BIG MONEY if this is the case. Be carefull. I'd say around 1,000 give or take a few hundred if it is a straight forward gasket. Be sure to have them check the piston height. They were know to bend rods too.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

ouch!! but thanks! I'm confident that the engine has never over-heated... it actually runs very-very well. I don't know how the timing chain (mis-speak above) cover cracked but in looking, there appears to be oil on the block under the gasket.

What's with the heads and head gaskets on the 300 and 350 sdl's. I'm beginning to think I need to replace the gasket on my 350 and would like to correct the problem if possible.

I replaced the head on my 1993 300SD.
Acutally, I had the engine rebuilt because
of a bent connecting rod (#1 cylinder).
There was no rebuilt engine available.

In the rebuild process, the head was replaced
with a later one with a design change in the
head. Preivously, there was a channel
between the front of the head and the #1
cylinder, which is where I got the oil
for the hydrolock.

If it turns out that you have a bent rod, etc. consider getting a rebuilt engine from
MB as it is warrantied, etc. for, I think,
50K miles or 4 years. The pistons, connecting rods, etc. are supposed to be replaced as a set. The $$$ add up fast.

What is your oil usage? MB said that up to
1 quart per 1,000 miles was ok. It really
wasn't. I change oil at 3,000 with virtually
not usage. Oil consumption will tell you
alot about the problem.


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Ralph Burnette
1993 300SD

I have some pics that give proof that there was a design flaw in the EGR system of this engine!! I will get them to the site soon. They routed the EGR (Hot Exhaust Gas) so that it is hit by the seeping front turbo seal. When this happens, the build up is like a rock the size of a large pecan. When this comes loose the engine sucks it in a bends the rod on that or more cyl's. This is not a theory, I have seen many many many. If Mercedes reads this, I can show them the proof! The cure?, if I had one, I'd put a bb in the vacuum line that goes on top of the EGR valve, then the hot gas will not pass. (Legal BS) This is just my thought and I do not advocate in way tampering with the EGR system of any car, even though there is no regulation of diesels emmisions.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

A key point here is to watch your oil
consumption. If you are using a quart
per 1,200 miles or so, you should think
about getting things checked. In fact,
I have heard time and time again that
there should be NO oil consumption for
3,000-mile changes.

I recall that the timing chain should be
checked at about 60k miles. Also check
the sprockets for wear.

I spent over $8k getting mine rebuilt. The
mechanic who did the work did a superb job
and we checked and rebuilt everything,
including the injector pump; all with MB
parts. After breakin,I could get 30MPG at 55MPH, have almost no smoke or diesel noise. 32k miles later it is still quiet and smooth. I don't know about the mileage since I can't seem to drive at anything less that 75 or 80 MPH.

Don't panic. Just maintain it and keep an
eye on the oil consumption.

Even with the engine failure, I love my car.
It drives me crazy even to ride in another
vehicle, even a new one.

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Ralph Burnette
1993 300SD