603 head crack and/or gasket - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mdisav · #1 12-15-2006, 10:06 PM

Has there been anyone who has just had the gasket go bad or does the head almost always have a crack or two? Are there any cracks that can be imperceptable when the head is removed?

I just purchased a wagon in haste without paying attention to the somewhat obvious signs. It did run on the cool side just above 80C. Oh well, live and learn. The price was right regardless.

I will be pulling the head this weekend if I get around to it.

Brian Carlton · #2 12-15-2006, 10:43 PM

Let's just say that you'll need a good dose of fortune to get away with just a head gasket on that engine.

They are fond of cracking between the valve and the prechamber and you'll see it immediately in almost all cases. The aluminum isn't good at hiding the crack like cast iron.

So, you've got to ask yourself a question...........

"Do I feel lucky"

"Well.........."

mdisav · #3 12-15-2006, 10:48 PM

I feel lucky all right!! I will let you know just how lucky soon enough...

Bio300TDTdriver · #4 12-16-2006, 12:27 PM

Are you asking about the car in your signature line with the #22 head?

mdisav · #5 12-16-2006, 12:46 PM

No, I sold that one a year ago. I just picked up an 87 Wagon with the original #14 head.

mdisav · #6 12-16-2006, 01:44 PM

Do I need a special torque head socket for the head bolts or is it just a large torque size? I have not given the bolts a good look and I am not with the car right now.

mdisav · #7 12-18-2006, 10:48 PM

I took the car for a good ride and drove it hard. It ran about 80-85C. I parked it and it sat for over a day and I checked the upper radiator hose and there was no pressure and it was gooshy.

Isn't it suppose to be hard if I have a blown gasket or cracked head? Or is that in just some cases?

h2odiesel · #8 12-19-2006, 04:47 AM

The 603 takes a different, smaller, socket than the 617.

Brian Carlton · #9 12-19-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdisav

I took the car for a good ride and drove it hard. It ran about 80-85C. I parked it and it sat for over a day and I checked the upper radiator hose and there was no pressure and it was gooshy.

Isn't it suppose to be hard if I have a blown gasket or cracked head? Or is that in just some cases?

You began this thread with the plan to remove the head.

Now, you've driven the vehicle and have no symptoms of a blown gasket or a cracked head by what you've presented here.

So, I suppose we're all a bit confused by the plan to remove the head without any symptoms of a problem.

You might wish to start from the beginning with the symptoms.

Hatterasguy · #10 01-16-2007, 09:19 PM

The original head gaskets are weak and a failure point, so yeah its quite possible. Happend to someone I know with an 86, head gaskte failed he was fine.

You need to take the head off and look, you don't know what you have until the head is off.

mdisav · #11 01-17-2007, 10:18 AM

I was surprised how good everything looked when the head was off. The head, valves, pistons, all looked super and clean.

gsxr · #12 01-17-2007, 11:48 AM

That's great news - nice to hear a success story. The valves & guides tend to last a LONG time on the 60x engines, and the prechambers normally last the life of the engine. I probably would have replaced the seals, but that can be done with the head on the car if it becomes necessary in the future. I've got a trace of oil in the coolant in my new 602, with no other symptoms... pretty likely I'll be doing a head gasket job on that later this year when I have time.