Well, I've always admired the W124 range.
Yesterday, I find myself with a couple of spare hours wandering around the local Motor Auction.
I spot a W124 230e with no numberplates on. It had just had a cherished transfer by the DVLA. I am friendly with the staff and they let me see the logbook. 1 owner from 1993! They pass me the keys. Open the header tank - nothing. Pull the dipstick - mayo galore!
Head gasket has gone :cry:
Bodywork and interior are lovely. No rotten arches!
Flat battery so I couldn't start it.
I hang around until it is started up and it starts easily enough and sounds ok. It's showing 111k miles. Looks about right.
They leave it running with no water for about 10 minutes :cry: I wanted to run over and turn it off!
Anyway, I buy the car for £150 and I've trailered it home.
Fill with water and idle. Seemed to warm up ok. Temp went to 80 or 90 over a normal timescale. Drove it around the yard (literally half a mile) just to see if the auto 'box is ok (it's lovely) and pull up. Starts to vent all it's juices out the header tank cap.
When reved, there's a lot of blue smoke but I think this is a result of the thin and runny 'Mayo' getting past the valve stem oil seals.
1) Am I right in thinking the original problem with this engine is a blocked /failed thermostat?
2) Am I right in thinking that the water pump will be driven from the timing chain? (If so the pump must be ok unless the impellor has fallen off?
3) Is this engine a viable prospect to repair? £30 head gasket. £30 head skim. £20 head bolts.
4) Am I a complete lunatic for wanting to put in a 5 or 6cyl diesel from a 250 or a 300d?
5) Do all W124's have the same Autobox?
6) Do all W124's have the same engine mounts (ie the same mounting points on the inner wings/bulkhead?
PS I know it'd be easier to buy a 250d but this car is too good to waste and the chap who was bidding against me was from the local salvage company :cry:
Yesterday, I find myself with a couple of spare hours wandering around the local Motor Auction.
I spot a W124 230e with no numberplates on. It had just had a cherished transfer by the DVLA. I am friendly with the staff and they let me see the logbook. 1 owner from 1993! They pass me the keys. Open the header tank - nothing. Pull the dipstick - mayo galore!
Head gasket has gone :cry:
Bodywork and interior are lovely. No rotten arches!
Flat battery so I couldn't start it.
I hang around until it is started up and it starts easily enough and sounds ok. It's showing 111k miles. Looks about right.
They leave it running with no water for about 10 minutes :cry: I wanted to run over and turn it off!
Anyway, I buy the car for £150 and I've trailered it home.
Fill with water and idle. Seemed to warm up ok. Temp went to 80 or 90 over a normal timescale. Drove it around the yard (literally half a mile) just to see if the auto 'box is ok (it's lovely) and pull up. Starts to vent all it's juices out the header tank cap.
When reved, there's a lot of blue smoke but I think this is a result of the thin and runny 'Mayo' getting past the valve stem oil seals.
1) Am I right in thinking the original problem with this engine is a blocked /failed thermostat?
2) Am I right in thinking that the water pump will be driven from the timing chain? (If so the pump must be ok unless the impellor has fallen off?
3) Is this engine a viable prospect to repair? £30 head gasket. £30 head skim. £20 head bolts.
4) Am I a complete lunatic for wanting to put in a 5 or 6cyl diesel from a 250 or a 300d?
5) Do all W124's have the same Autobox?
6) Do all W124's have the same engine mounts (ie the same mounting points on the inner wings/bulkhead?
PS I know it'd be easier to buy a 250d but this car is too good to waste and the chap who was bidding against me was from the local salvage company :cry: