C200cdi head gasket change-should I?

[realslimshady]

My brother has offered me his car for free. It has an ongoing coolant loss issue, which despite it being pressure tested and pronounced ok and receiving copious additions of miracle 'stop leak' additives, continues to disappear coolant at a remarkable rate, with no obvious indicators as to where it's going. So I'm working on the worst case scenario, that it is in fact the head gasket.
I could go and buy a Haynes manual, but before I make a decision on taking this on just wondered if any one has first hand experience of doing this job. I'm not scared of doing it-I fix aeroplanes for a living- it's just can I be bothered if it needs special tools or is overly involved. Car is 2004 C200cdi with the 2.2 engine.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Rewarding engine to work on. Great long life engine when job is done.
Haynes gives bare bones removal procedure but lacks detail.
Camshafts, hydraulic tappets, thermostat housing, inlet manifold (a pain, with so much in the way), turbo and exhaust manifold, all come off. New head bolts preferred, plus gaskets. Fresh oil and filter of course, and possibly reuse coolant.
Good set of tools (which you'll have if in the aero industry) is all you'll need.
Plus suitable vocabulary for a few awkward bits.

 

[bembo449]

any need for a head skim on this engine ??

 

[joderest]

Just a thought, the additive that is suppose to seal a head gasket or cracked head can leave a lot of stuff to clear out and block the rad, so be aware.
If no water in oil, no signs of external leak, then only other place it could go is out the exhaust, i would suspect a lot of steam.
One other thought, does this have the water oil cooler for the gearbox ?, known to leak into the gearbox, but a dip of the gearbox would prove or discount that.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Gearbox is a good call. If you do end up removing the cylinder head please have it pressure tested. It would be crazy to refit it not knowing if it was cracked or porous.

 

[bembo449]

to add to the above , ive seen a good few cracked porus heads on all different makes of car so do not rule it out !!!!

 

[realslimshady]

all good advice, thanks guys

 

[davemercedes]

As per bembo449's question:

I don't know what the opinion of our resident experts may be, but having done all the work to strip everything off the block and head, I'd be very tempted to have it skimmed to be sure it's square etc. You should be able to find a specialist to do it at a reasonable cost.

 

[realslimshady]

Is the Haynes manual sufficient to do this or is there a thread somewhere describing the process step-by-step?

 

[alexanderfoti]

As per bembo449's question:

I don't know what the opinion of our resident experts may be, but having done all the work to strip everything off the block and head, I'd be very tempted to have it skimmed to be sure it's square etc. You should be able to find a specialist to do it at a reasonable cost.

I would have it skimmed!

 

[John77]

My brother has offered me his car for free. It has an ongoing coolant loss issue, which despite it being pressure tested and pronounced ok and receiving copious additions of miracle 'stop leak' additives, continues to disappear coolant at a remarkable rate, with no obvious indicators as to where it's going. So I'm working on the worst case scenario, that it is in fact the head gasket.
I could go and buy a Haynes manual, but before I make a decision on taking this on just wondered if any one has first hand experience of doing this job. I'm not scared of doing it-I fix aeroplanes for a living- it's just can I be bothered if it needs special tools or is overly involved. Car is 2004 C200cdi with the 2.2 engine.

I had the same problem with a bedford motorhome, shows how long ago it was. Went into 3 or 4 garages and eventually it turned out to be a rotted core plug. That is if engines still have them nowadays. As your work on engines I would have thought that you have checked every other eventuallity, before the conclusion of the head gasket, but just a thought.

 

[Jim2]

I'd try to 100% identify what is leaking before removing the head....the diesel filter is connected to the cooling system, and it's a known leak point. Have you tried that? From previous experience, under no circumstances would I ever add leak sealant to any cooling system ( bit late in your case though, I know )