Please help tech guys. I just talked to our mechanic. Our 88 190E needs a head job, cam, lifters and rockers. I know this is a big job. How big. Is there anything special I should know before beginning? Is it worth it? Any and all feedback is sincerely appreciated as this is not something I wanted to hear today.

Thanks in advance,
Kodiak

Really? All that at once? Is the cam worn? How about the rockers? Was there excess ticking noise coming from the elements (lifters)? I'm not implying that these parts don't wear out, they do. What prompted you to take the car to the shop to start with? Oil consumption?

Scott,
We bought the car privately last November. Drove it with the windows up and couldn't hear the tapping. He said it burned "some" oil. Truth was that it burned about 1qt. per 3-500 miles. The tapping is getting worse each day. Our mechanic said that the lobe on the #1 cylinder is wearing and consequently, the rockers need replacing. I Think for the money once the head is apart, I should replace all of them? Lifters as well. The car has 178,000 miles on it. The whole head has to come out to to the valve guides and I should do the seals as well. Possibly even the valves. I don't know for sure but this is what he recommended. I was just wondering if this is something that someone with some engine rebuilding experience can handle? I think by doing it myself I would save about $1300.00. Money I could use.

Thanks

Kyle

Kyle,

If you're calm and stable enought to do a head job on some other car, you can do it on a benz. Worse case, get yourself a digital camera and we'll all walk you through it.

Check out the vintage section on the various carb woes that two members have been having. All of us that have been the armchair mechanics have been walking through the process.

-CTH

cth350,
Thanks for the encouragement. I know that I can do this. It has been a little while since I have been up to my elbows in an engine but I am sure that with patience and diligence it will get done. Acutally, I have a digital and that is a good suggestion. I will definately do that. Thanks,
Kyle

Hey Kyle,
It is recommended procedure to replace the rockers that are associated with the worn cam lobe. The related rockers become scored when the lobes wear.
There is a test that can be performed to determine whether or not the elements (lifters) should be replaced. Its quite simple. I wouldn't recommend just replacing them on a whim. This is something that can be performed at any time.
You sound as if you are reasonalbly mechanically inclined. If you are completely comfortable with doing a valve job go for it. The cam and rockers are quite simple to do and can be done at any point. Everybody here is great help! The digital camera is a great suggestion. Good luck!