New engine?

JonWill

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I have been having a nightmare with my 2001 ML320 ... and it's just got worse ... after having to be rescued by the RAC in France (4 children stuck in a hotel on foot), we've been trying to get to the bottom of the problem - based around a misfire.

Having changed the ECU, which has fixed part of the issue, the garage (a STAR equipped indie in Monk's Gate) started dismantling the engine and discovered that it is full of crap - and beyond repair (see picture).

They have sourced and can fit an engine for c£2.5K. I've spent over £1K already, and the car is worth at most £4K - so the question is whether to go ahead. Money is obviously tight, but the rest of the car is sound, and we were very happy with it before it started crapping out ... what would you do?

History of the problems are in these threads (I haven't psoted since we got back from holiday as nothing new had materialised).

Any thoughts welcomed.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=104352
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=104121
 

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Cole@MBS

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Thats nasty, has it got service history??? lack of oil changes is the problem with that!!
 
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JonWill

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Had a service history, and was meant to be given a full service when I bought it. However the dealer seems to have vanished, so no recourse there (the engine management light also wasn't working). Have a feeling I was done...
 
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JonWill

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Well, mine's done 65000 miles, but have had at least one...
 

Frontstep

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Blimey thats gummed up, type of thing you would like to have lying around when the Forte salesman comes.
 

range rover

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new engine

When I see how such a fantastic engine has been neglected through it's life, the previous owner doesn't deserve a car.
 

Naraic

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I was a bad man. I put 40000 miles on my last MB. It had 108,000 on it when I sold it on. I didn't change the oil during my ownership. I saw it recently, back up for sale after 3.5 years...with 167,000 miles on it.

I didn't deserve that car.
 
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JonWill

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Really? I've had a couple of quotes at this level... Any idea where I can get this sort of price? Apparently it's a 15 hour jobs and labour around here (Sussex) is at least £50 an hour...
 

lwbnick

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Really? I've had a couple of quotes at this level... Any idea where I can get this sort of price? Apparently it's a 15 hour jobs and labour around here (Sussex) is at least £50 an hour...

I've got a man in Sussex who would fit that for £500.

No shortage of 320 engines knocking around.
 

Uncle Benz

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I've seen a couple of these lately with blocked cat causing misfires. Make sure you don't have that before forking out on a new engine or you'll be up for even more money. With sludge like that i expect the valve stem seals are like rock. This leads to oil burning and blocked cats, so be aware.
 

stumo

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Might be a good idea to drop the pan on the tranny too. if thats in as poor shape then you are looking at scrap.
 
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JonWill

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I've seen a couple of these lately with blocked cat causing misfires. Make sure you don't have that before forking out on a new engine or you'll be up for even more money. With sludge like that i expect the valve stem seals are like rock. This leads to oil burning and blocked cats, so be aware.

CAT was checked as part of the earlier diagnosis, I believe, but thanks!
 

Benzworx

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As lwbnick said we would charge no more than 500 to fit the engine
but are a bit far from you
 
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JonWill

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As lwbnick said we would charge no more than 500 to fit the engine
but are a bit far from you

Not _that_ far for a saving of £1000 ... would you trust an ebay engine?
 

mattuk

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Sorry to hear and see that!

This is bad. To be honest I have never seen something like that


Second hand engine will be best for you I don't know where u live and if u still want to spend money on it(probably I wouldn't) you can visit car breakers close where I live

I can't remember website but type in google search "metro car breakers colindale London" you find direct website, and cars with pictures. Give them a ring and find out mileage and condition and ask for price, etc.

Good luck
 

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