New here, Daily '66 200D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ZLandrum · #1 08-23-2010, 08:22 PM

Hey Guys,

First off, my name is Zach Landrum i live in the upstate of South Carolina, and i've just picked up my first mercedes. a '66 200D. My last daily driver was a 91 bmw e30 325i. So far with the MB I've not done much of anything, the fellow i purchased it from restores old tractors and bought this to restore/play with, but his stable was just getting filled up too much, so he had to sell it. Here are the first problems i'll have to really deal with.

First Problem} is that it's got a bit of an oil leak, and i'm pretty sure it's coming from the valve cover gasket. He replaced it once already, but was leaking A LOT when i got it from him... So i took it off and put some gasket gel goop stuff on the inside and the outside of the gasket, and that stopped it a little bit, but whilst bolting the valve cover back down, the bolts seem to indent the valve cover, and caused a crack on the top back bolt. I've used some JB weld to fix that, and it's worked well... But is there a stronger valve cover that i can get for it? Or am i stuck with what's there?

I'll keep updating as i can, but 'till then here are some current pictures i've already taken of it.- Thanks

Zach

Colorado220 · #2 08-23-2010, 08:34 PM

Beautiful car, but you don't need to crank down that hard on the valve cover bolts

daw_two · #3 08-23-2010, 08:49 PM

Hi Zack.

As promised here are some belt routing pics of the 200D engine in my 190D(c). Starting at the AC compressor and going clockwise while standing in front of the car, it goes like this:

AC compressor
Idler that is above and to the right of the engine cooling fan pulley
Crankshaft pulley
Idler to the left and above the alternator/generator.
Back to the AC compressor.

I'm guess you definitely have the crankshaft pulley in place; however, you might be missing the two idlers.

Good Luck.

Squiggle Dog · #4 08-23-2010, 08:51 PM

The 200Ds are great cars! It's good to see another W110 owner on the site. I use mine as a daily driver and have driven it across 4 states.

The valve cover only needs to be snugged down enough to put pressure on the gasket. It's very easy for the valve cover to cut through the gasket. Your valve cover may also be warped.

pj67coll · #5 08-24-2010, 10:59 AM

Beautiful car. One of my dream vehicles and must look fantastic when that marroon is polished up well. Hope you can post more pics of the car soon. Interior as well. White steering wheel. Nice!

- Peter.

fritzintn · #6 08-25-2010, 04:02 AM

Good looking car.

- fellow '91 e30 and red fintail owner...

t walgamuth · #7 08-25-2010, 06:17 AM

prolly need a new valve cover gasket.

Ziad · #8 08-25-2010, 08:01 AM

I agree with all the above,...I would change the gasket for a new one.

When you have the valve cover off, place it on a true flat surface (kitchen counter) and see if it is warped.

If its flat,..wipe away all the crud 1/2 up,..all the way around the valve cover.

I have a good used valve cover if you need it.

Ziad · #9 08-25-2010, 08:13 AM

Reading your thread again,...the gasket sealant would need to go on the bottom of the gasket, not the inside or outside surfaces.

It would be very wise to take a shop cloth and clean the top of the block where the gasket will meet it. Old gaskets can leave a ridge line over time.

If you buy a new gasket, and clean both surfaces,..there is no reason at all to use sealant. But,... then there is peace of mind, a chinese noodle size bead will suffice.

ZLandrum · #10 08-25-2010, 11:53 AM

Ok, some bad news guys... I was driving it home last night, and took a turn onto my road where i live when the benz just cut out.... i drifted into a gas station parking lot, let it sit for a few seconds, pulled out the starter button and let the glow plugs get to where they needed to be, pulled the starter button all the way out to crank it up, and it was trying it's best to turn over, but was not turning over quickly like it normally does, within a few seconds i noticed smoke coming out of the hood/fender crack on the driver's side... so i stopped doing anything, put the sucker in park and got a ride home... going up there today to try and figure out what went wrong, but i'm not quite sure what i should be looking for? My common sense tells me that it is completely out of oil, and isn't lubricating properly for it to turn over/run.... any suggestions as to what to look for and or do? Thanks guys, and i appreciate all the advice i will definitely be doing most of what has been said. Anyone have a new valve cover they're looking to part with? Thanks again!-

Zach

daw_two · #11 08-25-2010, 12:23 PM

Zach --- look at Ziad's post; he said he has a good used valve cover. Hopefully, you still have plenty of oil in the engine and it's a dead (low charge) battery or dragging starter.

ZLandrum · #12 08-25-2010, 12:27 PM

sheesh, i read valve cover gasket... damn dyslexia. I don't think it'd be the battery nor starter as it cut out on my whilst driving. I've had the battery unplugged before and the car ran just fine 'till i cut it off. I'm thinking it may be due to leaking oil - i've tried to keep track of it, and put oil in it within the past week, but that's the only thing i can think of. Btw, thanks for the A/C PM's Daw, and Ziad - i do appreciate them!

Benzcrusher · #13 08-25-2010, 04:29 PM

Saw that car on Craigslist a few weeks ago, good luck with it.

ZLandrum · #14 08-25-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benzcrusher

Saw that car on Craigslist a few weeks ago, good luck with it.

Thanks Shabby! Honk or wave if you see me on the road, so i know who you are when i see ya.

KCM · #15 08-25-2010, 05:02 PM

The smoke you see might just be the resistor for the glow plugs heating up and burning off oil or other residue that may be on it. Or it could be melting the firewall lining behind it.

Your stopping problem could simply be a fuel issue, such as no fuel in the tank, plugged screen before the injection pump, or plugged filter. First thing would be to check the oil level, but if that was the problem, you either would have heard large bang from parts flying out or the engine would lock up and not even turn over (or turn very slow likely with squeaking). Could also be that, if the car was sitting for a while, that the fuel delivery pump on the side of the main injection pump has a stuck plunger or valve and is not pumping. Would not get too worried yet.

P.S. Did you know that the main injection pump has its own oil reservoir which must be checked and topped off occasionally? The check plug is on the side to the rear of the delivery pump and the fill cap is on top and to the rear of the pump. Use engine oil.