Perhaps somebody's worked on those before and forgot the old maxim "After tight comes loose".

I can't see how that would happen to factory torqued bolts.

I notice you say that you never accelerate hard EVER. Really? M103 motors just love to be revved. Unless you've got other bad repairs in there, you have nothing to worry about (other than whiplash). You'll probably blow some soot out of there as a plus.

I would think a compression test would indicate if your valves are buggered or not.

__________________
-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition