Instant Smoke Signals - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mordecai · #16 06-26-2003, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mordecai
Based on what facts? Ask why he believes this. A lot of guys will just say "Cracked piston."
.

Has anyone pulled the glow plugs and looked?

M.

jjalex · #17 06-26-2003, 02:42 PM

Massive oil loss into the crankcase. No compression in the #1 cylinder.

Mordecai · #18 06-26-2003, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jjalex
Massive oil loss into the crankcase. No compression in the #1 cylinder.

Looks like a rebuild is in order. Or, start calling wrecking yards and ask for prices on used motors.

You might get away with replacing that piston. Does this motor have replacable cylinders?

M.

jjalex · #19 06-26-2003, 03:26 PM

He suggested a boneyard engine if it got to that point.

I have my fingers crossed that it is the piston.

I don't think the cylinders are replacable.....

I'll post his diagnosis as soon as I get it.

A friend told me he might trade me even up for his '89 260E w/136k miles if my engine is toast, but I would prefer a diesel...

jjalex · #20 06-27-2003, 03:09 PM

Piston is cracked, heavy damage to the cylinder wall.

$7,000+ for a MB engine, $5,800 for a rebuilt engine with 90k miles....

Yes, thats more than I paid for the car.

I don't have the know-how or time to drop a boneyard engine in it myself.

I may have someone who would trade me with some cash for a '89 260e w/130k miles.

I am thinking very hard about it right now. I could part it out, but I would rather sell the whole car as is at this point.

Suggestions are welcome asl long as I'm still breathing.....

jjalex · #21 06-27-2003, 03:22 PM

Does anybody know about this firm:

RebuiltEnginesforMercedesBenzCars.com in California?

Sounds like they have what I want for less....

Holson Adi · #22 06-27-2003, 04:19 PM

ouch that hurts.

Have you asked what the authorized MB dealer would charge to put in a new engine (with factory warranty I believe)

I honestly would go for the $7k 'new' engine. I think you also get the turbo right?

How's the rest of the car though? If it's really perfect then I guess it could be worth it.

Also keep in mind that the AC evaporator on the 124 might go out w/o warning. 211k mi. is also hard on the suspension components...

id try to sell it to someone who would put an engine himself.

good luck,

JimSmith · #23 06-27-2003, 05:21 PM

dieseldiehard and jjalex,

I second the recommendation for Metric Motors, Inc. as noted in the response to the second thread jjalex started. I also have no personal experience with them, but I am fairly certain the 1991 350SD I had that died from the bent rod syndrome was going to have the "MB factory rebuild" done by Metric Motors. When the car first revealed it never wanted to run with those rods again, I looked into the factory rebuild replacement engine option. The availability of properly remanufactured engines from the Fatherland was strained at the time and the dealer service guy let me know MB was accepting this outfit's work as their own for that engine (that should have been a hint the problem was out of control). The warranty was a MB warranty too. I ended up letting the dealership shop handle the rebuild job as it cost about $3k less so I have no personal experience with their work.

Good luck, you deserve some! Jim

psfred · #24 06-27-2003, 08:16 PM

This engine is sleeved, so unless you chewed all the way through, all you need is a new piston (of the correct weight class) and a sleeve in #1.

needless to say, I'd have the rods checked, probably replace the whole batch to be safe.

I've heard of the pistons completely disintegrating, leaving the rod thrashing around in the hole. This will ruin the block (duh!), but the engine will run reasonably well!

Peter

slowmoe · #25 06-27-2003, 08:42 PM

John,

I am so sorry to hear of your misfortune. This whole thread has sent chills down my spine. I agree with Psfred, why do you need an entirely new engine if it is just one piston and sleeve that is damaged (assuming no block damage)? Even with some other parts being replaced this would seem to be a far less costly alternative.

jjalex · #26 06-29-2003, 01:22 AM

A job like that is way over my head. And I have so many projects right now, It would take a year to get done with some help.....

I wish I could.

jjalex · #27 07-01-2003, 12:39 AM

It is over. The '91 300D is sold. I now have a '89 260E to replace it.

Thanks to all for you help and concern!

JimSmith · #28 07-01-2003, 11:18 AM

jjalex,

Sorry about the disaster you just experienced with the 1991 MB Diesel. I have to say I was surprised at the sequence of events as I did not figure the previous owner had any advance warning the piston was about to explode. I have personally never experienced or really heard of that kind of failure mode (runs fine, start it up one morning and "bang!!" the piston is no longer a single solid part), although there have been reports of broken ring lands and the like. Did the mechanic give any clue as to what the source of the problem might have been? Was there a warning of impending doom, like the previous owner ran it out of oil or something? What do the rest of the pistons and cylinders look like? I can't help thinking there is a lesson to be gleened for all of in this story, but we need a few more facts.

Good luck with the new car, Jim

jjalex · #29 07-01-2003, 03:19 PM

Jim,

The mechanic said the #1 piston was cracked and probably the head too with no compression at all in it. The oil was pouring into the crankcase from it.

I wondered if it filled with fuel from a stuck injector and broke it on the next stroke somehow, but he said there was no way to tell. He told me the others looked fine.

He felt there were no obvious signs of it's pending doom and the car had run smooth for me the week previous. He also said we wasn't too fond of the aluminum head Mercedes used on that engine and the folks at Metric Motors said they had seen their share of failures with them too. It is now in more capable hands then mine.

When the buyer gets its running, in about 4 months or so, I will post the resolution. He wants to finish rebuilding his '58 Chevy first. But we all have problems with our priorities at times....

Thanks