1996 W124 E250 D Head Gasket

[dlloyd]

I'm in the process of arranging for a new head gasket to be fitted to my 1996 W124 E250 Diesel. It has done 165,000 miles, no previous engine work done.

1) When I have the new head gasket fitted is it prudent to change any other engine parts at the same time? eg. injectors?

2) Anyone know common causes of head gasket failure on W124 5 Cylinder diesel engine?

Many Thanks.

 

[Bolide]

Cylinder head gasket

I assume the cylinder head gasket has failed or is failing... If it's gone and the engine's been cooked, or well overheated, you'll need to have the head skimmed to make sure it's flat

While the head's off, replace all the glow plugs. They have a nasty habit of snapping when you remove them so instruct the garage to get their best mechanic to do them and not to hurry. You really don't want the YOP doing them...

There's a bunch of pipework (I think it's EGR) under the head cover by the injectors that has black plastic T pieces. These get brittle with age and will likely break. Replace them

Make sure none of the low-pressure bleedoff fuel pipes from the injectors is leaking and replace any that are

Clean the entire inlet manifold, EGR butterfly assembly and the 20 ports into the head

Also replace all the O rings in the diesel injector system round the injector pump & fuel filter. They flatten with age and leak when disturbed. New O rings cure this. The dealer will have them - I pay about £1 each

Replace the serpentine belt, check the water pump, belt tensioner and damper

Use only Mercedes parts!!!

I'd be interested to know what you've been quoted for a cylinder head gasket job and what they include in this price...




Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[dlloyd]

Thanks

Will let you know what's included, the mechanic is away for a week and cannot do until 15/9/2005.

 

[dlloyd]

Head Gasket Replaced

Just got the car back, the head was reconditioned, new gasket set and gasket bolts. The mechanice said he had to "Allow for skim" when he re-assembled. He also replaced the oil, filter and anti-freeze. Car is running okay, But I have noticed the idel is higher than before 1000 / 1100 RPM, before was about 700 / 800 RPM!

 

[Bolide]

CHG replacement

The idling is set, as far as I know, by an electronic stabilisation doodah that is part of the EGR / inlet manifold / Injection pump setup. So if it's idling wrong I'd expect something to have been replaced incorrectly

I'd give the mechanic a quick buzz, say the car is fine, mention the idle in passing, saying you'll drop it back to him to check for oil leaks & reset the idle

What was the final bill?


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[dlloyd]

Final Bill

£210 labour and £465 parts, the parts were very, very expensive. the head reconditioning was £255, head set £130 and the head bolts £50, oil filter and anti freeze was £30. The work was done by a local garage in Sixfields Northampton.

 

[tom7035]

What was involved in the 'head reconditioning' - was this just for the skim? Someone was asking a few days ago about skimming cost.
Labour sounds pretty reasonable to me though.

 

[dlloyd]

Head Reconditioning

The mechanic thought initially it would be £55 for a skim, they had to completely rebuild the head; not sure what this involves! I was in shock when I got the bill!

 

[tom7035]

Yes, probably valve seat inserts & guides etc. Seems like a thorough job.

 

[Bolide]

Head skim

I think that if the cam is still in the head then obviously some valves are open and will protrude below the head deck. So it can't be skimmed. So the cam has to come out, and maybe the valves, springs, collets, followers... And all these need to be replaced afterwards whilst keeping the cam timing correct. Not a job for a beginner!

Sounds about right to me


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[tom7035]

Yes of course. I'm going 'way back as I said, when this camshaft arrangement was very rare!