Head Gasket, Water Pump + Engine Mounts - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

G-Benz · #16 08-28-2008, 11:32 AM

I dunno. My tech took these shots for me while he had the car. He's meticulous. Car was in his possession for three weeks total. But I had a host of other components replaced since so much was accessible.

BTW, INSIST on getting the EGR tube cleaned while it's in this state! It resides behind the engine and is a royal pain to access otherwise!

Lexxani · #17 08-30-2008, 07:37 PM

Ive been working on my car for 2 afternoons now reinstalling my reconditioned heads, new gaskets and re connecting everything. Im about half way done. Granted I have a V8, so a little more time is involved, but it is quite a PITA, yet do-able. If you have a full complement of sockets and open wrenches you should be in good shape. I only needed one special socket that I ordered from the dealer. The water pump is cake with the head off.

I hope you are as fortunate as me and didnt encounter any stuck head bolts. Ive soaked mine in 10w30 for ease of assembly and possible tear down a few decades from now.

If you have access to the FSM it will tell you what special tools you need. I'd say go for it, you'll learn alot about your car and have a new appreciation for when she is running good.

Hirnbeiss · #18 08-30-2008, 09:18 PM

careful on the oily head bolts. You can break bolts that way because they will overstretch compared to dry torque.

ps2cho · #19 09-04-2008, 11:10 AM

Ok thanks guys.

I am looking pretty positive towards it. I will go in and clean everything too....With the bad valve stem seals leaking oil into the cylinders for a good 20,000+ miles....there has gotta be some gunk sitting there. By the end I should have an awesome running engine with alot more power if everything goes smoothly.

Is there anything else that I should replace while I have the head off? Any other seals or gaskets?
Also, should I replace the timing chain at my miles? Seeing as I am doing this myself, I'm fine replacing the chain if you guys think it should be done.

G-Benz · #20 09-04-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

Also, should I replace the timing chain at my miles? Seeing as I am doing this myself, I'm fine replacing the chain if you guys think it should be done.

Kinda early for the chain IMHO...but the do inspect the chain tensioners...they probably cause more problems than the chain itself. Lack of fastiduous oil changes are well-reflected visually on the tensoiners.

ps2cho · #21 09-20-2008, 02:37 AM

What about timing cover gaskets? The problems which I am seeing now is all gasket related. The car was stolen right after it was bought and recovered, but the lady apparentely didn't want it back or something so it sat unused for a number of years. 5 owners who didn't use it much and I bought it from a guy who had it under a tree for the last 8 months. You can see where all these gaskets + seals are getting hard from.

If anything is an easy replacement seeing as everything is off and out, then am more than willing to spend the money are get it done.

Want the engine to be absolutely beautiful again.

ps2cho · #22 10-16-2008, 08:59 PM

Well I'm back and about to order my parts

Good $400 in parts:

Head Gasket Set
14 Head Bolts
Graf Water Pump
2 Engine Mounts
Timing Chain
Timing Chain outer + inner guide/rail
Oil Pan Gasket

--
Send Head off for reconditioning/pressure test + valve guide replacement.

Am I missing anything? Anything else I should replace while she is open?

What about special tools -- anybody pipe in and tell me if I will need anything special here? My dad has a garage full of mostly every basic tool so I should be fine there -- I just need to get any special ones that aren't common.

Much appreciated! Can't wait to get going

Will be my first upper end surgery on a car. I'll make sure to take pictures along the way.

dka-66 · #23 10-17-2008, 06:57 PM

I'm sorry for butting in on this thread but what would the cost of reconditioning the head be if the head was removed and taken to a shop?

cliffmac · #24 10-17-2008, 09:26 PM

these things don't add up...really...motor mounts? head gasket? how these things relate?

ps2cho · #25 10-17-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffmac

these things don't add up...really...motor mounts? head gasket? how these things relate?

Well my motor mounts are broken causing my rough idle.

The head gasket is leaking and also its causing compression loss on leak down test. Not to mention I have bad MPG and performance.

I'm just doing the top end in the hopes to resolve it all. It has been established that I need a new head gasket period. I just hope that when that is fixed, it will resolve my poor mpg and lack of performance at the same time. As I am taking off the head, I want to do it right and hense the reason why I am doing the timing chain and having the head sent off to a machine shop.

I have no plans to sell the car so doing it now while everything is apart will save me time and the money in the long haul as I have the money to do it right now. Who knows in the future ya know?