190E 2.3l w/210K and 1 qt of oil every 500 miles
 

I have a good friend with an 88 190E 2.3L with 210K. He is using 1 quart of oil every 500 miles. Is this indicative of bad valves or bad piston rings? No oil in the overflow tank.

He is going to get rid of the car and I am thinking of doing the work and reselling. The rest of the car is in great shape.

How much would a machine shop charge to do the valves?
How much for a shop to do the the rings?
What would be a good purchase price for me?
What could I ask when it is put back together?

thanks for the thoughts

More likely it's a sign of bad valve seals, a typical cause of oil consumption in high milage They're a rubber/plastic part that can dry out and crack. Lot's cheaper than a head removal

When I had mine done, a few years ago, it was probably around $200-300 at an independent MB shop. I'd have to check the records to confirm that. I recall it wasn't a big deal, less than half a day to do. I believe that all the work is done with just the valve cover removed.

MTI,

Thanks. How much are we talking?

Anyway to diagnose this instead of piston rings?

There is a lot of smoke comming out the tail pipe!!

Bad valve seals are more likely to allow oil to pass when engine is cold. Does it smoke more while warming up?

Piston rings.....hmmmm . Someone help me here. More likely to go hand in hand with low oil pressure caused by bearing wear, but not always. Look for oil coming into the EGR hose perhaps or oil coming from the tailpipe.

With 210,000, I'd lean toward the valve stem seals as the bottom end of the 2.3 is pretty damn tough. Just my thoughts....hope they help.

Klaus

The M102 generally neads at least valve stem seals by that mileage, and other top end bits are probably near the end of their lives too. I haven't seen any bottom ends fail that early, unless oil changes were lacking.

An old test I use is to get the engine warm at operating temperature. Drive along say 50MPH and then lift your foot compeletely off the gas pedal for say 8-15 seconds then accelerate again. If you see blue smoke it is the valve guides/ valve stem seals.

My experience is if it is the rings, it does it all the time.

Haasman

Thanks, MTI.

How can I know for sure that it is just the valves? There is a lot of white smoke comming out of the tailpipe - does this help? I am thinking of this as an investment car to fix and re-sell and do not want to get in over my head.