W124 260E Destroyed Engine - Can anyone help?

[david searle]

My 1987 W124 260E auto that had done 83,000 has just dropped a valve in no. 1 cylinder (the end has broken off) on Tuesday evening, and has totally wrecked the engine. The spark plug came out (just), but it had been all flattened. I believe it is not worth even having the head taken off as it will have damaged the piston, bore and head.

I have been offered a second hand 2.6 engine for £500 (plus vat) and fitting for £250 (plus vat). But that is nearly the cost of what I paid for the car only 3 months ago, and I don't know any history of this engine.

Is it worth replacing the engine? Or should I just scrap the car and go and find something more reliable? Has anyone got a spare engine, know anyone else who may have one, or a cheaper way of fixing this?

Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[kid-jensen]

David,

Firstly, commiserations....we're all one dropped valve away from a big bill.....

If you want my advice, I think it's worth taking the head off for a look-see. It won't cost anything but time, so you really have nothing to loose.

In my experience, pistons are very difficult to destroy totally, so you should have got away with that.

Similarly, the valve would have to be particularly mean-spirited to gouge any significant groove in the bore wall, so this should not be a problem.
The combustion chamber may have a few digs in it, but if it's not cracked, it will still work. Remember you're not talking about a new engine, but one that just happens to have with a few characterful modifications.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the engine may be salvageable for the cost of a new valve and a head gasket, but you'll never know until you look.

 

[Rog_E]

Not recommended practice but.....

I dropped a valve on a Honda motorcycle many years ago.

Took the head/barrells off, replaced the smashed piston, straightened the twisted con-rod and put a second hand head on!

Ran fine.

Had a Rover SDI 2.6 dropped a valve (well the tappet shim jumped up and reduced the clearance by half an inch or so) the cylinder line was smashed.

Got a new liner and piston fitted and crank reground, new valve and it was as good as new.

I agree with Paul - take the head off and have a look, you may be surprised!

Trouble with second hand engines is you do't know the history and could be buying more trouble.

Should go without saying that if you can recover what you have change the Oil!!!

Good luck.

 

[MarkSL]

Strip it first and have a look - I dropped a valve on my Rover last year

As its a 1/4 mile race car I took the repairs further than I would have with a road car. the piston had been hit very hard - but could have been salvaged for a road car if absolutely necessary, and the head was replaced as a matter of course - but the same head has since been cleaned - one guide replaced and is working fine on another engine!

The bore wasnt touched - though I dont know how !

If it had been a a "quick turnaround" job to put it back on the road it could have been done well for the price of a piston and a bit of work on the head

http://www.216turbo.com/ooops.htm

HTH

Mark

 

[dieselman]

I know some-one who purchased a truck as knackered due to having dropped a valve. The valve had bounced around a bit then turned over and the stem had rammed through the piston crown. As soon as they recovered the truck they removed the head, fitted a new valve, pulled the valve out of the piston and welded the hole up, then refitted the head.

Just after lunch time the boss of the rival truck company rang the boss of the company to take the pee about selling him a knackered truck. He asked what they were going to do with the truck and where it was now? To his amazement they replied with "It's at M1 junction 16 doing its first drop for us."

This shows how resiliant an engine can be when a component breaks. Strip the engine before condemning it.

 

[Mike Buley]

ditto the above.
It is always worth having a gander.
I had an old Bmw that dropped a valve.
It didnt prove too expensive to fix it.
Besides, when it is done, at least you have had a look inside the engine, it will do the same mileage and more.

 

[david searle]

Thanks for all the information - interesting that everyone says take the head off and have a look.

I have no facilities or knowledge to do this myself and would have to pay someone. Presumably this will be £100 plus just to find out if there is a lot of damage. Also given the state of the spark plug, it seems likely that the valve head had been rattling around a bit.