engine condition m103?

[MS 190 2.6]

I am trying to get an idea as to what condition my engine is in and what I may be facing in repairs. The car is an 87 190 2.6 mileage shows as 110,000,
which I have no reason to doubt based on the cars condition, however no way to know for sure. I tuned the car and passed emmissions, hc 110 allowable 220, co .3 allowable .9. I have driven the car about two thousand miles since end of November. Oil pressure 3 bar with 2bar at hot idle. Oil consumption about 1 qt every 800-1000 miles. Plugs have already developed a hard black fouling but not wet with oil. At startup and while ideling in gear I have some valve clatter, can hear with window open. I pulled the valve cover and everything is tight but when the valves are closed the rockers move laterly a small amount and click when moved. Is this normal? do I need lifters and seals or am I looking at replacing rockers etc? Would I expect to need guides if the mileage is accurate? Everything in the valve train is quite clean with no sludge apparent. I feel the car has a lot more life in it but I don't want to spend the money to fix all the small things wrong only to have major expenses on the engine. I do most of my on maintenence but would hate to have to pull the head right now. Sorry to be so long winded but I really need your expert opinions. What should I do next?

thanks in advance

[jlomon]

Have you considered having your oil analyzed? It might give you a better picture of what is going on inside your engine. I sent away to Blackstone Labs for a package on this, and they sent me a vial at no charge. Just drain some oil into the vial, send it to them, and they'll give you a report. I haven't done it yet, but plan to get to it fairly soon.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

The only way to ascertain engine condition is to do a compression and/or cylinder leakdown test.

The oil usage could likely be corrected by replacing the valve seals.

Do NOT remove the head until after doing the compression/leakdown test and know that it is needed. If this engine has had regular oil changes it is probably not even broken in yet.

Good luck,

[Jim Anderson]

I second the valve guide seals, they are relatively cheep to replace (you don't have to take the head off.)

That engine, around that vintage, had valve guides that wore prematurely. You would have to take the head off to change them, and the replacements are the newer version that last (they fixed the problem.) If it is the guides replacing the seals won't last forever, however you could replace a lot of seals for the price of replacing the guides.

You could also use a thicker oil, 20w50 is the thickest speced for that engine.

[MS 190 2.6]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input, I have been wondering where to get the oil analysed for my yanmar diesel in my sailboat, might as well do them both. I probably should go ahead and find someone with the equip to do the leakdown test and if it's ok will go ahead with valve seals, I have searched on that and feel confident that task is within my abilities if I am carefull. I take no one is very worried about the valve clatter at this point?

you folks are great, maybe with your help I can give the neat little car anouther life!

[Jim Anderson]

I missed that valve clatter comment. That engine has hydraulic lifters. Sometimes mine will clatter when I start it until the oil pressure comes up. I can understand it could clatter a little when idling cause the oil pressure is lower, but I've never heard of that and don't know if it means anything. I do know its bad if it clatters when the oil pressure is up.

[MS 190 2.6]

It is only on startup and at hot idle that I here it. Otherwise the engine is silky smooth and quiet. Smoothest engine I have ever had in a car in fact.
When I get the to valve seals is there a way to tell if a particular lifter is bad?

[t walgamuth]

yet? if not you really should. check what is best and go for it. a lot of times a car newly bought is running on old or wrong oil and a change can do wonders.

tom w

[MS 190 2.6]

Yes I have about 2000 miles on a fresh change of mobile 1 15w50. I will probably change it again in a week or two.

[duxthe1]

The valve clatter is likey a lifter in the early stages of going bad. I wouldn't mess with it until it is a constant clatter. Using a good synthetic such as the Mobil, it may never get worse, but if it does the lifter is a replaceable part of the rocker arm.

As far as the best way to get an idea of the general condition of an engine, I personally would remove the valve cover and inspect the cam(s) The cam lobes are the highest point of friction in an engine and when an engine's maintennance is neglected, the cam is the first place to show it. If the lobes show lots of "streaking" it could mean your 2.6 is a ticking timebomb