I posted in parts, but was hoping in the off chance someone over here who didnt frequent that area might see this and have what I need, or know someone.

I have an 89 300E with a dead #3, leaking to crankcase. Going to pull the head and see if theres anything worth messing with. If the cylinder looks okay I would like to just toss a good used one it and run it.

Anyone have a dead motor sitting around anywhere they want to pop one out of? I'll have to get the head off to see what pistons I have first I guess

Best bet would probably be to check a Pick-N-Pull yard. They always have a few M103s. Did you check the head yet?

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97 W202

seems like replacing just a piston is a lot of work for an engine that probably needs an overall overhaul......how many miles on it?

Also if one was leaking down bad it would more likely be rings than the piston itself...

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Havnt pulled the head yet.

Miles are unknown. Odo stopped at 117K....in 2001. Where its been since then no one knows. Bible says we will know them by their fruits. The car is very clean and tight and most everything works and works well. We had an 88 300E in 97 that had 170K on it and wasnt any tighter than this one, so its at least that good?

Ive been wrenching on motors since I was a kid, so the amount of work required is a relative term. An hour spent sitting here BS'ing on the web, or an hour spent wrenching on the car? We'll see. When Dad was in the service, if this had happened to an aircraft engine here in the states they would have swapped in a overhauled engine. Overseas, at war, it would get a piston, used or new would make no difference. Not many years ago I had enough money I wouldnt have even bought this car, or would throw a good motor in it. Times are different and I dont have that kind of money to throw away, so a couple gaskets and a piston is a pretty cheap fix. This is WAR, lol.

But a guy stopped out today to look at it for a possible diesel conversion, wants to put in a 606 motor. If i can sell it whole that would make me the happiest right now.

606 motor is a fine replacement for the M103

I just replaced an M102 with an OM601.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I have been curious why the 601,602,603 series got so much better economy.

I had been told by several sources that I could only buy a complete set of pistons, but the local dealer gave me a part number and I found it online for $169 complete with rings and pin. Now the only hold up is $$$$$, and of course, time.