1998 E240 cylinder heads removal

[Darren S]

Hi, Has anybody got any information on the removal of the cylinder heads on my E240? Does the timing chain have to be split? Any special tools required? I am loosing coolant and the oil filler cap is getting emulsified.

 

[Ultymate]

The fact that your oil cap is getting emulsified is not a sure fire sign your head gasket has failed, the cap is in a relatively cool spot on the engine and therefore prone to condensation particularly if you do a lot of short journeys so I personally would'nt strip the head on that evidence alone. You need to get your cooling system pressure tested both hot and cold. I'm not saying the gasket has'nt failed but don't strip your engine on the evidence of the emulsion on the cap alone :-?

 

[Darren S]

Thanks for your quick reply. I know that the coolant has been dissapearing for a while now, I have been monitoring the situation. I am a Mechanic by trade and feel pretty sure that one of the gaskets is probably corroded round one of the oil gallerys

 

[television]

You can just unbolt the sprockets and remove the head easier done with the tensioner removed,do take care with that, when you do it if you want details of the tensioner just ask.

Malcolm

 

[stargazerplus]

Hi, Has anybody got any information on the removal of the cylinder heads on my E240? Does the timing chain have to be split? Any special tools required? I am loosing coolant and the oil filler cap is getting emulsified.

Are you absolutely sure that you aren't losing coolant from somewhere else. The V6 engines are not know to have headgasket problems. Both my cars have V6s and both have emulsified deposits underneath the filler caps but neither loses coolant.

 

[eric242340]

The fact that your oil cap is getting emulsified is not a sure fire sign your head gasket has failed, the cap is in a relatively cool spot on the engine and therefore prone to condensation particularly if you do a lot of short journeys so I personally would'nt strip the head on that evidence alone. You need to get your cooling system pressure tested both hot and cold. I'm not saying the gasket has'nt failed but don't strip your engine on the evidence of the emulsion on the cap alone :-?

I agree with Ultymate on this, pressure test the system first. If there are no external leaks, then assume a head gasket problem. Also have you pulled out the dipstick and is there any emulsification there? The oil filler cap is not a 100 percent sign, other things can cause this.

 

[type49]

If you are in the trade, have you done a block test on it? What colour was the fliud? If you do remove the heads, the cam sprocket bolts will have to be replaced are they are also stretch-bolts. Although I havn't read anything here yet that would convince me to remove them! Does it run bad,does it start OK, are any of the plugs a different colour? Coolant leak is more likely to be rad or something slight that you havn't noticed yet.

 

[eric242340]

If you are in the trade, have you done a block test on it? What colour was the fliud? If you do remove the heads, the cam sprocket bolts will have to be replaced are they are also stretch-bolts. Although I havn't read anything here yet that would convince me to remove them! Does it run bad,does it start OK, are any of the plugs a different colour? Coolant leak is more likely to be rad or something slight that you havn't noticed yet.

Totally agree, do the tests first and go from there.

 

[television]

One should not forget the heater matrix that could have a slight leak, any water going under the carpets, and may not get noticed.

As Stargazerplus and Type 49 says there are no known problems on this engine,and we have not had one here.

Malcolm

 

[eric242340]

One should not forget the heater matrix that could have a slight leak, any water going under the carpets, and may not get noticed.

As Stargazerplus and Type 49 says there are no known problems on this engine,and we have not had one here.

Malcolm

I agree Malcolm, but its all part of the pressure test, wet carpets ect. In any case the person doing the test should know what they are looking for (I hope)

 

[jberks]

I'll just add my support - I don't think I have ever heard of a head gasket going on the V6. I too had the emulsification on the cap (perfectly normal) but there are so many places it can lose coolant without you seeing, I'd be going after the head gasket as an absolute last resort. Easy test however, if it is losing coolant into the oil (sufficient to be worth fixing) as you say, there should be evidence in the oil change. Why not just drop the oil and have a look?

 

[Ultymate]

You can now have a sniffer test on the cooling system which checks for the presence of combustion gases in the cooling system, that said I was given this kit a couple of years before I retired from the AA and did'nt find it totally reliable that said a small head gasket leak can, unlike a large one, be notoriously difficult to prove:-?

P.S. Is this vehicle one of the ones prone to leaking coolant into the transmission via the cooler?

 

[Uncle Benz]

Worth a look at the oil/coolant intercooler mounted on the side of the oil filter housing. Not a known problem on Mercedes, but VW have issues with this item. Even VW dealers do head gasket jobs by mistake on this one.

Just a thought......

 

[type49]

P.S. Is this vehicle one of the ones prone to leaking coolant into the transmission via the cooler?

True. Isn't it Valeo rads that have the problem? My memory's gone ----
maybe I should follow it.

 

[television]

Valeo rads only affect 722.6 box in the 203,209 and 211 up to 30-09-03.

Malcolm

 

[type49]

Valeo rads only affect 722.6 box in the 203,209 and 211 up to 30-09-03.

Malcolm

Supermalc to the rescuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue!







Where would we be without him?

 

[Darren S]

E240 timing chain

You can just unbolt the sprockets and remove the head easier done with the tensioner removed,do take care with that, when you do it if you want details of the tensioner just ask.

Malcolm

Hi Malcolm, could you give me more information regarding removing the tensioner & sprockets. How do you hold the sprockets in situ but still be able to remove each head? - special tools required?

Darren

 

[television]

Hi Malcolm, could you give me more information regarding removing the tensioner & sprockets. How do you hold the sprockets in situ but still be able to remove each head? - special tools required?

Darren

The fan and shroud has to come off along with the alternator. you can then unscrew the tensioner. The timing chain should be bound onto the sprockets with cable ties, you can put a bar through the holes in the sprockets and use the heads to lever against.

I do have the complete guide for doing this job,and I am in the middle of changing computers. as it stands now i have to print off all of the pages and scan them to send, and that is getting expensive,shortly I can download and send.

malcolm

 

[premmington]

I have Sykes 318 pressure tester & block sniffer tester (co2). If you live near King's Lynn in Norfolk, I'll do it for nothing for you....

Not joking, had plenty of good advice ex forums.... Have workshop full of tools, don't mind doing something for nothing in return.

http://www.remmington.plus.com

 

[Darren S]

Hi Malcolm, If you could contact me when you are able to send the pages I would be extremely grateful
Regards Darren