1995 S320 - engine miss
 

Its not mine, but tempting! There is a local 1995 Mercedes S320 LWB listed for sale. It has 169K miles and LOOKS beautiful. The ad says that the car is a 3.2 6 cyl, but has a miss on one plug and they have already replaced wires, plugs and coil pack.

My uncle has a 1992 300SE (basically the same engine?) and I am thinking these eventually have headgasket issues around this mileage. His had it at 133K and I think it was missing, but I could be wrong. It may have just been overheating. Is it possible it may be the case with this car - this miss is a blown headgasket? Also, wasnt this the last year for the "bio" wires?

I know a PPI would be a must before purchase, but just wanting some thoughts here. I just gave my mom my 1988 300SEL and already wanting another Mercedes. ;)

Here are some pics... a beauty for sure!

http://images.craigslist.org/3k63m63...b500311b66.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3nc3k93...c6f8f61939.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3ma3o13...f84ec215d4.jpg

The wiring was used in some 96s.I too have been watching that car,its probably a head issue.Or could be simple as spraying cleaner (for plastics) on air flow sensor,or crack intake tube.I cleaned my 99 s320 and oh my god a rocket.Do a compression test on car.But you will need if wires are rotten to replace. I'd be willing to help you check it out.

Thanks Oldsinner... The head... thats what I was thinking. It was so tempting, because before I bought my 1988 I wanted a W140 with the 6-cylinder and I wanted the LWB model, but this one looks like while it may be cheap now, it could run into big $. He said that the wiring harness had not been replaced to his knowledge, nor had the evaporator, but he said the A/C did work.


Thanks for the offer of helping me check it out... I think if I bought it though, I wouldnt be able to afford to repair it. LOL. :)

it could just be the wire from the ignition control module to the ignition coils. Run it in the dark with that coil cover off...

or the wiring harness has not been changed yet, causing the miss...this is an M014 engine with the bio-degradable wiring .either way, it is tempting and fixable if the price is right!

Thanks. He is asking $2400 for it.

So easy to check around for rotten wiring, in the plastic channel/conduit on the left side of the engine cover. That'd be my first place to look for sure, given the symptom. Head gasket rarely will get bad enough to cause a dead hole, you'll probably get a hydraulic lock in a cylinder before that would happen. First indication is usually an external oil leak, or in some cases mixing oil into the coolant.

Gilly

most likely if the head gasked is shot, you'll have an oil leak on the back of the block on the driver's side....

Thanks. He still has it... kinda interested in my car as a trade, but I cant fork out $1500+ in repairs. Maybe someone that knows more can help me check it out.

he said if it sets in the same spot for more than 3 or 4 days, it leaves a tiny drip.

Would a drip that minor be a headgasket and cause it to misfire on one cylinder?

The owner of this car said he would trade me this Mercedes for my car and $800 cash. I wonder if I should do it. I love car, but would hate to get stuck with a $2000 repair. I dont know of any MB place down there to do a PPI.