Oil Blowing Out Exhaust Pipe - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bio350 · #1 09-14-2009, 05:42 PM

My 91 350SD that I did an engine swap on with a 3.0 is blowing GALLONS of oil out the tail pipe.
What exactly has it done? Do I need to get the head done or worse?
I have 2 spare heads but I don't want to do all that work if it is something more.

barry123400 · #2 09-14-2009, 06:45 PM

See if there is excess oil in the number one cylinder compared to others. There is an oil passage ahead of the number one cylinder that fails on 603s. To put it correctly the gasket fails and several modified updated gaskets may be available. With the injector out it may even spray oil out the number one injector hole. Head gasket failure of this type is not uncommon on these engines.

bio350 · #3 09-14-2009, 06:52 PM

Yes, the #1 cylinder is flooded with oil. Would this mean JUST head gasket failure?

barry123400 · #4 09-14-2009, 07:43 PM

Yes in all likelyhood. Try to get the most recent replacement head gasket. Mercedes fooled around with this problem I believe.

I suppose a warped head might also allow it but suspect other symptoms would be present. Check the head for flatness when off. Should always do that anyways.

bio350 · #5 09-14-2009, 08:30 PM

Well, that's where I will start then. I have a really good machine shop close by and they can take a look at it while it's off and make any recommendations about other work. It does have 260,000 on it. So I might just go ahead and get it reworked. I just didn't want to do all that if there might be other problems with the bottom end. But amazingly it still starts, runs on 5 cylinders, but no knocking, no oil in water, no steam or water in oil.
Prior to this sudden incident it was very strong and fast!!!!

babymog · #6 09-14-2009, 10:43 PM

Have a good spare post-#14 head ready to install, if the #14 coming off is without cracks (doubtful), sell it.

Diesel911 · #7 09-14-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bio350

Yes, the #1 cylinder is flooded with oil. Would this mean JUST head gasket failure?

I would not assume it is only the Head Gasket.

After the Head is off and the surface of the Block and Cylinder Head are clean check both surfaces for warpage.
If you do not have a proper precision Straight Edge you can at least take the Head to a Machine Shop and have them check.

bio350 · #8 09-14-2009, 11:04 PM

I plan to have it checked. Actually the 2 running 3.0L's have #14 heads. The one that is blowing oil is a #17 and I have 2 other spare #17's that are still on the 3.5L motors out in the shed.
I did the engine swaps in my driveway, but I am in the middle of building my shop/garage, so I think I will wait until that is done, before I start pulling the head off.

pawoSD · #9 09-15-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Have a good spare post-#14 head ready to install, if the #14 coming off is without cracks (doubtful), sell it.

What about a 617, so there are no more worries of such problems...

babymog · #10 09-15-2009, 11:09 AM

I think that once you've had a 60x, you don't want to go back to a 61x. I'm guessing the same once graduated to a CDI, ...

pawoSD · #11 09-15-2009, 11:55 AM

I have ridden/driven a 603 before....while they are nice, its still no 617.

And its not worth the issues the 603's seem to have IMHO....I've put 76k lead footed miles on my car over the past 6+ years....with not a single engine issue at all.

babymog · #12 09-15-2009, 01:58 PM

As many of us do with 602/603s, ... without failures. Very stout engine if not neglected / abused, and so much more refined.

Not to be argumentative, but the constant cry of my 61x engine is so much better than a 60x engine really is un-founded. There are many high-mileage 60x engines out there and many 61x engines that died from throwing a rod or even cracked a head, ... prematurely.

Just a matter of choice, the more forgiving 61x or the more refined 60x, both excellent engines in my book.

jltcasper3 · #13 01-14-2012, 05:41 PM

My 602 engine started blowing gallons of oil out number one the other day. I hope it's only a head gasket issue like the 603's. I do have a spare engine just in case. Any body have this issue on a 602?

barry123400 · #14 01-14-2012, 08:04 PM

Common enough to almost count on the failed head gasket. If oil is coming out the number one cylinder the head has to come off. Damaged piston would probably produce worse issues. Even then the head would have to come off as well.

Do not let a shop plane the head as there is no real alowance for doing so. Critically checking it for warpage is fine though. Unless an optional thicker head gasket is available for your particular model engine.

Even then there will be restrictions about how much. Not a lot of worry here though as the problem seems to be mercedes located the oil feed passage to the head too close to the number one cylinder. They may have accidentally under enginered the seal as well as there have been head gasket revisions over time.