350 SDL on ebay - different valve cover?

[stephenson]

I was trolling ebay and found a 1991 350 SDL - same as mine, but in pretty awful shape - no interest in buying ...

But, I noticed on the engine photo the valve cover looks completely different - have not seen one like this ... was there a mid year change? Euro version?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-350-SDL-1991-350-SDL-Diesel-Mercedes_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6336QQihZ016QQitemZ260051651853QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[jshadows]

Certainly not the valve cover I have. Though he's got other options I don't have either...front seat ashtrays or whatever those are and the wood center console cover. I'm surprised he got the car to started after that overheat. The head is most surely warped and/or cracked in a big way.

[stephenson]

Bob,

Yours is running well, then? None of the dreaded bent rod syndrome?

What kind of shape is it in - you have it on the market, per your signature block? Photos available?

Thanks!

[larry perkins]

wonder what could be wrong with this one brian?
guys i am telling u, get that pan off and get those bolts and washers away from the oil pump, this is a good way to turn a 10k car into a 2k car fast.
larry perkins

[dmorrison]

Originally Posted by jshadows

Certainly not the valve cover I have. Though he's got other options I don't have either...front seat ashtrays or whatever those are and the wood center console cover. I'm surprised he got the car to started after that overheat. The head is most surely warped and/or cracked in a big way.

Units on the front doors are drink holders. The center wood consol looks like its from another model or aftermarket.

Dave

[jshadows]

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Units on the front doors are drink holders. The center wood consol looks like its from another model or aftermarket.

Dave

Ah, drinkholders, the mark of an American car. I've seen the wood roll panel on others. Must be from another model. I think my brothers '95 300D has a similar style.

As for my 350SDL, runs great at the moment with little or no oil consumption. I had some before, but was turbo related. Until it really starts eating oil I can't say a rod is bent, and from reading through sixto's adventures it seems that it is darn near impossible to measure for this without some very accurate measurements on piston height or actually pulling the piston and rod.

The on the market bit..I need to change that. I need to fix the reverse gear and will be driving the car back to New Orleans afterwards unless someone were to make me an offer I couldn't refuse beforehand. Some people would like to think because of the R problem I'll give the car away, which is not the case.

Otherwise, once in NO either I'll sell it after taking car of some major work on my TD and possibly ebay it. It's got an installed and well functioning greasecar kit, so I'd like to get the premium (or depending on your opinion lack thereof) from someone who wants a working model rather than having to pay $2500 for kit+installation or suffer through installing it themselves.

I love the car, but having 2 MB diesels doesn't actually sit well on a student budget..especially not an S-class.

[sixto]

The center console cubby with roll top is the glove box when a passenger side airbag is fitted. You'll see the same on many 90-up W124s.

What's different about the valve cover? IIRC it's no different from the one in the 87 SDL and the 93 SD. What are you pointing out that I'm missing?

Sixto
93 300SD

[jshadows]

Originally Posted by sixto

The center console cubby with roll top is the glove box when a passenger side airbag is fitted. You'll see the same on many 90-up W124s.

What's different about the valve cover? IIRC it's no different from the one in the 87 SDL and the 93 SD. What are you pointing out that I'm missing?

Sixto
93 300SD

ah ha!

ok...I take that back on the valve cover. Mine is the same . Brain fart related to too much time spent in the library.

Originally Posted by sixto

What's different about the valve cover? IIRC it's no different from the one in the 87 SDL and the 93 SD. What are you pointing out that I'm missing?

Ditto. Looks like an average 60x valvecover....

[Hatterasguy]

Looks normal under the hood what am I missing? Dirty though...

[stephenson]

OK - hopefully, I didn't get everyone going for nothing!

I may not be remembering well (would just go out in garage to take a look - but, car still at body shop from deer-smack), but I could swear my valve cover doesn't have an area that is at a different level (with a "lower level) where the crossover goes ... seems like it is straight over ... but, I can't remember now that everyone called me on my initial impression ...

[larry perkins]

ok forum,i bought the broken sdl in michigan.give me about 4 months and i will have another report to discuss.
i still think that the owners who are in denial on these cars are scating on thin ice.
larry perkins 93 old cars

[jshadows]

How much did you pay? What are your plans for it? If it's keeping the 3.5 engine, plan on a new head..it's most certainly trashed. Wish one of these dead engine cars would show up in my neck of the woods...love a challenge like that, and must not include body work.

[ched454]

Originally Posted by stephenson

OK - hopefully, I didn't get everyone going for nothing!

I may not be remembering well (would just go out in garage to take a look - but, car still at body shop from deer-smack), but I could swear my valve cover doesn't have an area that is at a different level (with a "lower level) where the crossover goes ... seems like it is straight over ... but, I can't remember now that everyone called me on my initial impression ...

No, you are correct! The valve cover on my car looks nothing like this picture. Mine is the same height front to back and the crossover clears it.

[catmandoo62]

i see it has an extra switch on the back doors either rear seat heaters or reclining seat!!