Aaaarrgghhhh Head Gaskets gone....

[Glideman]

It's not a hard job, just needs a bit of common sense. Don't buy any special tools until you've checked the job out. As Dieselman say's there are ways to do things without buying special tools.
My tip is to mark all the pulleys with Tipex so you know they've gone back on in the right position. It's not rocket science. Don't be put off doing the job, just make sure you have good quality tools. You'll be chuffed to bits when you've done the job without paying any money out.

 

[Sp!ke]

Thanks for the support Glideman - I need it

In the past I have done everything myself. In motorcycle terms at least I am actually a qualified technician. (Spent two years studying motorcycle engineering) So in theory it shouldnt be a problem but without a workshop or special tools, I am a bit concerned.

Although I have a garage, It's a single car jobbie and crammed to the brim with everything bar the kitchen sink. I havn't even got a driveway that I can do it on. I am guessing that the car will be off the road with work in progress for up to a week if the heads getting skimmed and stuff so I really want to be able to leave the car in situ whilst having some kind of shelter from the elements.

 

[Glideman]

I've done head gaskets outside my house with no garage. Just start it, then you've got to finnish it The turn-around from a good engineering firm will be about half a day, some will do it whilst you wait. Should cost about £30-50 at the most, plus a gasket set, maybe another £70. Don't forget to replace the thermostat just to be on the safe side.

Hey at least with cars the bits are bigger, I've re-built a FZR1000 engine with 5 valves per cylinder, that was like a bloody jigsaw puzzle

Go for it, if you get stuck I'm sure we can all chip in & help.

 

[scotth_uk]

I got mine done at George Fraser recently, prior to it actually letting go. "Club price" was £550 for my 190e 2.6.

 

[NormanB]

. Andy Gayle is 100 miles away and I cant drive it that far, nor will my recovery company take it that distance away from my home.

I see you now have a couple of options for repair, if you cannot locate a car trailer why not join the RAC/AA must be worth it just for that 'lift' alone.

Example AA: Option 200 - As well as Roadside cover, you get Relay, which means we will transport you, your car and up to seven passengers to your home or any other single UK mainland destination, if we can't arrange a prompt local repair. Cost £81

NormanB

 

[GregE240]

Spike,

So sorry to hear of your gasket going south. Do hope it wasn't Mr Gayles establishment as he spoke very highly of your review of his garage when I took mine in fo a service last Thursday. If it was (I couldn't access the link you posted - was it in the Staff Lounge?) then I'm sure Andy would want to address the problem if the problem was caused by one of his mechanics.

All the best,

Greg

 

[Steve_Perry]

Spike,

So sorry to hear of your gasket going south. Do hope it wasn't Mr Gayles establishment as he spoke very highly of your review of his garage when I took mine in fo a service last Thursday. If it was (I couldn't access the link you posted - was it in the Staff Lounge?) then I'm sure Andy would want to address the problem if the problem was caused by one of his mechanics.

All the best,

Greg

I think the link posted was in the staff lounge and I also believe that Sp!ke isn't impressed with GF but still rates AG highly.

S.

 

[jimmy]

Spike,

I have a friend who would be able to do it, it would probably take less than a week, he would dismantle it, get the head skimmed and then re-build. He can only do it every other evening hence the week to do it.

I have a trailer but the biggest car I can get on it is a Escort/Orion. I could probably borrow a low loader trailer but don't really fancy towing something that heavy too far with my car.

Hmm, I will leave it to you. PM me if you want my telephone number.

 

[Motard]

Sp!ke;

I am sure that some of those bottom pins ease out, mine didn't. Even with the rad out there is very little space for a slide hammer, couldn't touch my pin with one, gave up on that method. The threaded bar I used as a puller stripped its threads every time so I used a better quality of steel which resulted in it shearing every time. Ian Walker suggested I smash the plastic guide rail which would allow me to remove the head, great advice. With the head off access to the pin is very easy but could I shift it? Cut the thing in half with a Dremel and hoped to tap it out...no chance. Finally I put a puller back on, heated the thing until it was really glowing then cranked a bit on the puller and kept giving it a smack with a hammer. Eventually it came out and it is now in a jar of acid just in case inaminate objects can feel pain.
As I said in my previous thread it has been and still is a nightmare.
Like Glideman I have worked on bike engines far more complicated, this thing is simple in comparison. The problem I have had is everything that could go wrong did, everything that could be a sod to move was. Maybe you will do yours in a weekend as I expected to. Fortunately it is not my main transport otherwise it would be serious.

Bob

 

[zip]

If you have to leave the car outside with the head off, try getting some cheap grease. If you coat the pistons etc in a layer of grease, it will capture all the bits of debris which will get blown in there. Also, and for good measure, get a few bin bags and cover the top of the block. A few bungees should hold it in place. When its time to bolt the head back on, remove the grease. Bingo.

You could always try hiring a car or a van, and tow the car to your destination. Some van hire places are dirt cheap, but if you went that route, check your covered for towing on the van insurance.

How screwed is the head gasket, is it a total non starter?

my 0.2

Zip

 

[V12]

Spike, they are not that hard. If you are mechanically minded, you will do it...i am no grease monkey but even me can do it

Upgrading to a 320 would work out very expensive...gearbox, ecu's, wiring looms, speedo cluster, ideally differential...it does have a lot more electronics than your car (yours is a 230 injection??)

If you do want to go that way, i have a E320 estate 1996, HARD rear damage 70kish, one of the cleanest 124's we have ever broken.

PM for a serious price.

Good luck, whichever way you go.

 

[Ian B Walker]

If its Automatic, which I know it is, dont tow it without removing the prop shaft.

 

[Sp!ke]

Wow thanks for all the offers of help chaps!

I've been ringing around and scouring the web and got a few prices.

I thought that if I had the head off, I may as well get the head sorted at the same time. I.E good cleanup, skim if necessary, re-seating valves, new guides and seals etc.

George Frazer £800 +VAT (Dunno how yours was £560 Scott)
Andy Gayle £500 +VAT
Local firm that did a mates 190 £700 (cash)

If I did the strip myself, I would need someone to do the head work. I got a quote from www.cylinderheadshop.co.uk and they quote £300 just for the head refurb alone - they look like they really know their stuff but theres got to be somewhere cheaper locally surely??? What's the best search key to look for anyway, its a wild goose chase looking on the web for people that do cylinder heads.

I must admit to being tempted to do it myself but the appeal of getting a dealer to do the work is that it will be warranted should it fail again within the year is very strong. Andy Gayles the best price for sure but I just need to get the car up there. + I have a lot of trust in Andy

The AA is a good idea (my current cover is only roadside assistance) but surely they wouldnt let me get cover and immediately abuse it for this purpose? Anyone got this cover that fancies being 'my passenger' at the time it failed?

 

[scotth_uk]

Hmm. Only reason that I can think mine was cheaper is that it didn't actually need skimming as there was no damage - I caught it in time.

As you are a member of the boards, always ask for the 'club price'. ;-)

One other thing to consider. If it all seems like to much you can always spend the extra few hundred over a decent job and get a replacement motor with warranty from Crewe Engines. I was very tempted to do it, as it would certainly increase the life of the car.

Good luck with whichever path you take.

 

[jaymanek]

personally, i would leave one person to do it all spike. Even andy gayle may try and blame you if bits are missing or its not running properly after if you had taken it all apart.
I would be happy to help you, but i got a warning from the aa saying we've used them too many times this yr! We have a a few cars in the family and we all use the one membership - little bit naughty, but usually we never have to use them...
But i think someone with the top level aa membership who can help is your best bet.
Also i thought Andy Gayle opened a place down south somewhere? I remember he was out of birmingham for a while setting it up?? Maybe he could pick it up if its in the london area.

Scott - Ive never known anyone not skimming a head, might aswell be done once its off, its very cheap and ensures no further problems...

 

[scotth_uk]

Agreed. The reason that mine wasn't an issue was that the gasket was find around the cylinders, it was just a minor leak near a high pressure oil gallery between block and head, resulting in a little oil dribbling down the back of the block.

Scott - Ive never known anyone not skimming a head, might aswell be done once its off, its very cheap and ensures no further problems...

 

[NormanB]

Wow thanks for all the offers of help chaps!

The AA is a good idea (my current cover is only roadside assistance) but surely they wouldnt let me get cover and immediately abuse it for this purpose? Anyone got this cover that fancies being 'my passenger' at the time it failed?

Are you with the AA now?

If that is the case just up your cover now (today) and 'break down' when Andy G has a slot available say 2 days time. It is only a moral issue ;-)

I think AndyG is your best bet! (Has he not got a Trailer?)

NormanB

 

[Glideman]

Any local enginnering shop will be able to do the skimming, some will even do all the head work. If you take it to a Merc specialist they add more money cos it's a Merc.

 

[Alps]

Sp!ke,

speak to Suki at prestige car specialists 07831348015, hes in East london and would probably tow the car as well for you, he done a complete head rebuild on my BMW, and Fiesta turbo (good ol days) even tho he`s specialities are mercs.

let me know how you get on!

my head gasket is leaking a little, but not enuff to warrent a fix.

 

[Sp!ke]

I've bit the bullet and just dropped the car down to my local Mercedes independant in Kew, Colin Ferns.

I had a longish chat with Colin Ferns the other day on the phone. He managed to convince me that he was the logical choice, not only on price but also based on he fact that the conversation we had highlighted that he did in fact know his stuff when referring to the W124 series - especially my headgasket syndrome.

He has a small but fully equipped workshop tucked away out of view off a little sidestreet in Kew. Im going to pop in on the way to work in the morning and hopefully meet Colin and his staff before work commences.

We shall see, hopefully I have made the right choice. I still have Ian B Walkers post on my mind about his CPU experience. lets just hope it was some kind of misunderstanding.