anyone replaced a head gasket on a e230 (w124)

[nickh]

Hi.

following on from oil in coolant.

I have come to the conclusion that I need to either.

A. try to tighten my head and change the coolant and fingers crossed

B. change the head gasket.

c. sell the car

probably opt for B.

Has anyone done this before, and have any idea of any problems or things to watch out for? any idea on how long it usally takes?

more importantly is a cracked or warped cylinder head common on these cars, my impression was they never go wrong like this. only done 82K FDSH.

what I am looking for is minimum cost on this one.. and so far I only have two days aside to do something..

thanks

 

[john lang]

Hi Nick
I've not done this on a W124 but have on many others in the past.
Two tips to ensure you only have to do the job once:
1- Use a genuine MB gasket - you might save a few bob by buying from Euro Car Parts but because it's a fair bit of work, it's not worth the risk.
2- Get the head skimmed before refitting, especially if the car's ever been overheated. Your workshop manual will tell you to check the head's not warped using a straight edge - in my experience that's almost impossible to do so get it skimmed regardless - shouldn't be more than £30.

Let us know how it goes !
John

 

[nickh]

Help.... I cannot get the head off , everything is off and loose apart from the plastic timing chain stay is on just to the right of the cam pulley, I cannot get this off, there seems to be a threaded tube in the head, but I cannot get the head off whilst this stay is affixed.... this looks like it may be a special mb tool

Any ideas :idea: :idea:

 

[dieselman]

Apparently you can withdraw the dowel by pulling it forwards with either a slide hammer or a threaded bolt with a nut on it acting against the head to pull the dowel forwards.

 

[nickh]

Hi. I thought as much, anyone know what size bolt this is?

Nick
:idea:

 

[nickh]

I have done a search on the technical forum, and found the answers, fingers crossed then.

 

[nickh]

DIY head gasket think twice.

Well what a carry on this head gasket changing was.. If you wanna DIY then think twice...

So I finally removed all the bolst etc from the inlet / exhaust manifold etc, only to fing one of the splined headbolts churned itself up, leaving a freind of mine with a hammer and 16mm ratchet part banging away until hey presto head bolts removed..

found out I had to remove the timing chain tensioner dowels, well needless to say a bolt got snapped off in one of these. :evil:

so, one week later (gotta work to pay the bills) I came to the decision, damn new head gaskets going on withouth removing the head!

I cleaned all surfaces best I could, drying out cooland from cylinder bores
and wd40 ing them so not to go dry, the only way to fit gasket was to cut it (yikes) close th the front end and twist it around the timing chain..

sooo this took ages, and hey presto head nicely fitted on thanks, torqued and ready to go, only problem the camshaft timing chain pulley was not on, well long story short this took the best part of a day..

so hows it going - well car runs fine, started up first time, figers crossed, slight oil leak where I cut gasket - I must bung this some time, car runs at a more stable tempurature now.. :wink:

Cant seem to paste an image of the old head gasket.. oh well, it was well past its sell by date, there was barely anything left, so much for full MBSH
.

N

 

[stephen Coker]

Hi Nick,

I did the same job last October, and took ages to get the timing chain dowels out - what a stupid design :cry: . Apart from that, and fitting the alternator belt, and getting the tensioner in properly, and finding I was missing half the necessary tools, and doing it outside in the middle of October, the job went fine.

On the plus side, I know its done properly, and it only cost about £100 to do.

This forum was really useful for advice at the time

 

[nickh]

Finally finished today, just a matter of re fitting the timing chain tensioner, twice, as iIdid not do it right the first time, yet more special tools needed..

Oh well mole grips and a plumbers wrench did the trick.. :lol: :lol:

very happy now runs like a dream..

Only thing is I still am getting the residual oil in the coolant, Does anyone have any good ideas on how to remove this?

 

[njpumphrey]

I've heard that running the system with water and a dishwasher tablet for a bit, then flushing with water and replacing with fresh coolant works a treat. Don't blame me if it springs a leak though! :roll:

 

[njpumphrey]

I've heard that running the system with water and a dishwasher tablet for a bit, then flushing with water and replacing with fresh coolant works a treat. Don't blame me if it springs a leak though! :roll:

 

[shirubaby]

Hi Nick,

I did the same job last October, and took ages to get the timing chain dowels out - what a stupid design

Hi there,

Did you have to take the radiator off in order to use the slide hammer, on these dowels, safetly?
What is the best way?

Are there any obscure bolts that prevent the head coming off?

Cheers
Shiru

 

[television]

You can take off the head complete with camshaft, I cant see or there is no reference to any dowels,there are two hexagon bolts inside the timing chain aperture.
If you are stuck, I can read factory process to you, You can Email me with your phone number

Malcolm

 

[flagstaff]

this has got to be the craziest thread i've ever seen posted on MBOA forums... the guy cut his head gasket to get it on?

on a M102 motor the head-off job couldn't be straightforwarder... surely?

 

[television]

this has got to be the craziest thread i've ever seen posted on MBOA forums... the guy cut his head gasket to get it on?

on a M102 motor the head-off job couldn't be straightforwarder... surely?

you are right I looked it up,its so simple. I offered help

Malcolm

 

[tom7035]

It was 'nickh' who cut his gasket three years ago (dear oh dear!), not 'shirubaby' just now fortunately!

 

[television]

It was 'nickh' who cut his gasket three years ago (dear oh dear!), not 'shirubaby' just now fortunately!

Phew,time does fly

Malcolm

 

[shirubaby]

Cool,

thanks for the support guys...I'll see to it after the silly season...this Christmas lark is getting a bit much...especially when there are no little 'shirubabies' to buy toys for.

 

[tom7035]

...especially when there are no little 'shirubabies' to buy toys for.

Shirubaby, if you want to know what to do about that, drop me an e-mail - I'll advise from memory!
Merry Christmas!

 

[shirubaby]

Shirubaby, if you want to know what to do about that, drop me an e-mail - I'll advise from memory!
Merry Christmas!

Oh :Oops:

On that question I think i'll start a new thread.
Merry belated Christmas to you lot..and roll on 2006.

Shirubaby