W124 - 200 Valve stem oil seals. Easy job?

[squeezer99]

Hi there folks,

After a blast down south this weekend I noticed that I was rewarding the tailgaters with a smoke screen when hitting the loud(?) pedal after braking/coasting. Looking at several posts I have concluded that I need to replace the valve stem oil seals. (The car has 102000 miles on the clock and there is (a little oil) in the air intake and there are some fumes in the rocker cover). What I need to know is how easy is it to replace the valve stem oil seals? I can see from other posts that for some models a special tool is needed but that the job can be done with the head in place. Does this apply to the W124-200 (1988) model? It also seems to pink badly especially when I have been stuck in a queue (i.e at the drive thru ). Should I give the old girl a decoke while I'm at it or leave well alone?

Many thanks in advance!

Regards

Jim

 

[old230e]

I had a 200 w124 - I gave it to the garage - they told me there is a special tool to make life easy and (If remember correctly) it was 75 GBP all in. I did 200K plus in the car and never did a decoke. Did used to REDEX it every 50K though and engine flush every other oil change with cheap oil to wash it out and then put good oil in.
Best mercs around the w124 - though the 200 is under powered.

 

[squeezer99]

Thanks old230e,

I think I'll take it in to a garage! I agree with you about the lack of power but once up to speed on a motorway it is incredibly relaxing!