I have a 1986 300E w/133k. I recently had a head-gasket done, but I had not yet discovered your great forum, and thus had not yet leaned of the M103's valve problems. I'm now wondering if I should have also done the valves. I burn less than 1q/3000mi.

So what % of M103 valves fail by 150K? Any ideas? Do many make it to 200k before the head comes off? Just curious.

Steve7

If the guides were done early in the engine's life, you are probably OK. If it starts to burn a little more oil, you could just install some new valve guide seals and get another 20-30k miles.

I have seen engines with less than 60k miles that needed a valve job.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Just to add to Benzmac's response, I have a 1987 300E with 170k and it had the guides replaced relatively early in her life, and the seals have been replaced twice, the last time being about 5k ago probably. This fixed the oil problem both times, so don't worry about it much, just get the valve guide seals replaced, ran me about 120 bucks. Hope this helps. Oh Benzmac, I am moving to Atl so you will have a new customer by the summer's end.
Chris