While being nice tonight and paying attention to my '84 300D, I began to top it off with Delo.

To my horror I noticed the damn cardboard cap fall INTO THE HEAD.

I can't even see it.

I have a bad back and not enough time to remove the head myself tonight, so it would have to get towed.

So, I guess - any advice? Dare I run it? I mean, the cardboard is really thin and soaked with oil...on the other hand, tight MBZ tolerances probably did NOT anticipate stuff like this happening :) I'd hate to block an oil passage or really kill something.

What would you do??????

-Dave
'84 300D 195,000 miles - daily driver
'68 BMW 1600-2 - the project http://www.francisscott.com/~bmw2002
The BMW 2002 House of Worship

Yes this is a dilema. Let's go over all the options so you can make an educated decision. First, it is unlikely that the intact unit would block off an oil passage. The size only would make this unlikely. I is a very remote possibility. Second, the card board is pretty soft, so the only real problem you may have is if it gets chewed up in the valve train and the smaller pieces block an oil passage. I doubt this would happen and an oil change would take care of most of these particles. Not a best practice to do this if you can avoid it. I also doubt you have to remove the head to get to this cardboard. Removing the valve cover should be sufficient annd is pretty easy. You mentioned a bad back, but very little lifting is involved in this and easy a very easy job. If bending over is the issue, try driving the car onto ramps first! Make sure you set the brake and place a chock behind the rear wheel.

Considering the cost of engine problems, even though remote, I would not let the need to drive be the governing factor. Possibly rent a car for a few days, or bum a ride, take a taxi, etc, and deal with the valve cover in a more liesurely fashion and know you have fixed it right. The tow and pay a mechanic route is also an option, but obviously a little more expensive and less satisfying.

Good luck!

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Deezel
87 300TD, 160,000 miles
72 280SEL 4.5, 250,000 miles

Dave,Deezel is correct that all you need to do is remove the camcover, a really easy job.You can do it with only a few basic tools.But before you remove the camcover, try a needlenose pliers or an icepick, if you can see it. IMHO, I would not start the engine until you get the cardboard out.It only takes a small piece of chewed up cardboard to block an oil passage.

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I use Delo as well. Was this the seal from a gallon jug, or a quart bottle. The quart is nothing but cardboard, the gallon has a partially metallic seal, really bad news.

If you have to get the help of a friend because of your back, the valve cover is EXTREMELY easy to remove and replace. The gasket is reusable. Even if the friend is not terribly mechanical, with care, most anyone could remove and replace this valve cover. If you have already started it, then the cap may be elsewhere.

Best of luck,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

What is DELO??

DELO is an oil made by Chevron. It usually comes in blue bottles, passes all of the diesel oil specs, and comes in handy-dandy gal. sizes... two jugs and its full. It is often found next to the gallon jugs of Shell's Rotella. Both oils are 15W40.
Oh, and its also the first four letters of my last name. :D
-Larry

I would try to find it using a flashlight and then grab it using a spring loaded "parts retrieval tool". Mine's about 24" long and has a three jaws that can be opened from the far end with a plunger like pushbutton. I've used it to grab various things that have fallen into impossible to reach areas. Cost about $3.