Hi guys, I have read a few posts on this topic but I still have a few questions.

Coming back from work on sunday night I heard a strange noise coming from the engine, sort of like parts rubbing together or something in the way of something else.

The next day I took a closer look and I found that I have an oil leak from the head gasket, quite sever since its getting on to the exhaust mainfold, from underneath it, causing the oil to burn up.

I want to change the head gasket, and at the same time I would like to get the head rebuilt to make sure everything is perfect.

I looked over the manual for my 1985 190E 2.3L 8vlv and it does not mention me having to pull of the timing cover, is this right? Can I take off the head without taking off the timing cover?

Also which engine is this? Would that be the M103 or M104, I never really knew how these references go and I sure did not find any mention of it in the manual but it seems to be the way to refer to them so I want to get it down right. The engine S/N is 102.985 if that helps anyone answer my question.

Secondly, what is involved in rebuilding a head? My dad works at a machine shop and he is responsible for measuring everything that comes out of it, so I know that with his help I can check the specs of every valve, but since I am on a rather limited budget, I would like to know if it would be better to just get someone to rebuild the head once I pull it off, or try doing it myself.

To get the job done right, I was thinking about obtaining the cylinder head gasket set from Fastlane, well I would have to order from parts-bin, but I am concerned with the quality of the gaskets, and I want the best. Should I just go to the dealer and get the gasket set instead or would it make any difference at all?

And lastly, since an indy changed the timing chain, sprockets and guide rails for me over a year ago, the engine started making a high pitched whining noise. I took the timing cover off to replace the cracked slide rail since I saw him break it when he was putting it in, but that is not what makes the noise. I was wondering if there is any such possibility of installing the sprockets on backwards. Could it be the chain itself making that noise? I know something is for sure, but the car still runs fine, and I'm out of ideas how to lose this whine. The chain does not touch much at all, but it definately sounds like the noise comes from the chain rubbing against something it should not. Consequences of it breaking might be severe, but taking off the timing cover everytime to try something new is an awful lot of work.

Any other tips, clues, links, suggestions will be greatly appreciated

I hope to take lots of pictures to give a step by step walk through of this job when I'm done.

Thanking you in advance

xp

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1985 190E 2.3L - a constant project.