cylinder head question

Pastaman

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Hello,

Our 2002 c180k estate, 271 engine, had its cylinder head replaced last september. The original head suffered from the carbon build on valve shoe problem causing misfire when engine hot and idling and engine light to come on (i found similar posts about the problem, links below).

I have now done 4k miles with the new head and engine light has just come up twice in the past month. This again happened while idleing with hot engine (well, just the usual 80-90 C temperature), though this time I could no hear any obvious misfire.

I am about to take the car back to the merc specialist indi garage who replaced the head to have the fault codes checked.

I just wonder: would the replacement stock head used be the same model of the cars' original, i.e. prone to carbon build on valves shoe or is it a modified later model? The cylinder head part number is MA271 010 60 20.

Thanks,
Luca

this, this,, this and this
 

padrig

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head problem

what was the milage on the first head,they all get carbon build up but not enough to cause valve problems if its doing it now on this milage id suspect fuel/air problems or timing the diagnostics should find this
 

Alex Crow

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why did they fit a new head???????? the originals can be machined.

the warning light could be caused by many things (eg a split breather pipe) so no need to jump to conclusions until the codes have been assessed.
 

drdre78

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first thing to check on 271 engines is vacum pipes under air box
 
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Pastaman

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Thank you for the prompt responses.

The head was finally replaced last September at 53k. At 38k the car already had 1 bent inlet valve, shoe and springs replaced, under second-hand dealer warranty, again caused by excessive carbon build (misfiring and running 3 cylinders when idle/hot); I have engineer report and receipts. Coil packs, fuel pump, spark plugs were also replaced around that time by car dealer.

A few vacuum pipes were replaced with the new head last September (not sure which), but i will certainly ask the garage to check those under the air box. Like you say, lets also wait to see the codes.

I decided to replace the head this time, as I wanted a permanent fix; the garage did offered me a head rebuild but could not guarantee that the problem would not reappear after 15-20K.

Thanks again,
Luca
 
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andy@pcd-ltd

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I have to agree with alex on this one and first thing first is to get the fault codes read.

It might be something totally unrelated due to there being no misfire felt
 
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Pastaman

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Yes, this time other than engine management light on a couple times, it drives and sounds like new. I will report back following codes check.
Thanks all for advice,
Luca
 
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andy@pcd-ltd

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Does you local indie use a star machine as it is best to get it on a star machine
 
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Pastaman

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Does you local indie use a star machine as it is best to get it on a star machine

Thanks Willow, I would imagine so, as they specialise on MB and BMW, but will double check.
L.
 
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Pastaman

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She's now back from garage and i have the Mercedes autologic diagnostic printout. On both occasions all 4 cylinders misfired (showing 8 x P201B codes) on first occasion accompained by a P201C code mixture self adaptation, while second misfire (2 weeks later) caused by fuel deficiency. Must admist that on both occasions, at stand still in traffic with radio off, i did not even feel a glitch with the engine noise nor any odd shaking.

The garage checked all obvious suspects, fuel pump and filter, vacuum pipes, air mass sensor, cat converter, plugs, coil packs, ecu, etc, but could not find anything wrong.

They also assured me that the replacement cylinder head (Part No on first post) is a modified, later version, as MB were aware of the excessive carbon build on pre 03 heads (the old one is embellishing my shed btw).

As they were asked to change the transmission fluid (as nearing 60k), they recommended i also change the autogearbox electronic plate, as they found it on its last leg (gears taking longer than normal to shift apparently).

Car runs and shift fantastic but had no chance to get it stuck in traffic yet...so fingers crossed.
 

Steve@Avantgarde

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Mercs dont use autologic, although some people say its a good machine I wonder if the fault codes translate properly? I dont recognise the codes you list but the description of them sounds awfully like a failing/stretching timing chain, which again is common on the 271 engine.
 

ELGRINGO

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As steve 271 engine terrible for chains, worn variators etc, regular in work shops now.
 

Alex Crow

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we do not know if the breather hose has been changed yet, just as likely as the chain and the codes are right for it...
 

ELGRINGO

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Hi alex surely they should have fitted new breather when changed head,
 

Alex Crow

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Hi alex surely they should have fitted new breather when changed head,

we could assume that gaz, but i try not to assume too much!
 
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