Blown head gasket on 1984 G wagon 230GE

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Simonlee

New Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2021
Messages
8
Location
Borehamwood
Car
G Wagon 230GE
Hello There I’m new to this forum. I can’t seem to find a thread that covers this question, I’m looking for a mechanic that can change a head gasket and also do some other work in my G wagon. I’m in Borehamwood and willing to travel anywhere in Hertfordshire or London.
 
Sounds as if you have this older design of engine----if the head is badly corroded it may be difficult to source a replacement.

M 115.973​

The M 115.973 is a 2.3 L (2,307 cc) version with a 93.8 mm (3.69 in) bore and the same 83.6 mm (3.29 in) stroke. Power output was 67–93 kW (91–126 PS; 90–125 hp).

Applications: 1979–1982 230 G 1972–1990 230 GE

there are several active forums on the web also:-

 
Heavilty pitted alloy heads can be filled and machined, but obviously at a cost.
 
You will need new head bolts also-prob from Germany if its a W115 they are non stretch iirc
M115-230-kopbouten.jpg
 
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Sounds as if you have this older design of engine----if the head is badly corroded it may be difficult to source a replacement.

M 115.973​

The M 115.973 is a 2.3 L (2,307 cc) version with a 93.8 mm (3.69 in) bore and the same 83.6 mm (3.29 in) stroke. Power output was 67–93 kW (91–126 PS; 90–125 hp).

Applications: 1979–1982 230 G 1972–1990 230 GE

there are several active forums on the web also:-

Thank you for all the info. I had the head done a few years ago. If I remember rightly I was out one day and ran out of coolant so used water then this made things worse, then the real damaged set in. So not sure if the the head is totally damaged.
 
To be fair if you had the head sone a few years ago and need the HG doing now it wasnt a great job a few years ago. An experienced knowledgable indi will put it right I am sure.
Ps are you still driving about with water in there.
 
To be fair if you had the head sone a few years ago and need the HG doing now it wasnt a great job a few years ago. An experienced knowledgable indi will put it right I am sure.
Ps are you still driving about with water in there.
I stopped driving it a year or so ago. I sent Wayne Gates an email to see if they would do the work on it, but they said that something they don’t do. I’ll have to keep looking around 😒
 
Crewe Engines Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Engine Remanufacturers Cheshire

BECAUSE these engines are so old now there are very few specialists willing or able to work on them- too many unpredictable factors to cost accurately. HAVE YOU TRIED THE G WAGEN FORUMS I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY? Other possibility would be an engine transplant of a more modern design /availability second hand a M102 2.3 would fit-but might need a new or modified bell housing?
 
Crewe Engines Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Engine Remanufacturers Cheshire

BECAUSE these engines are so old now there are very few specialists willing or able to work on them- too many unpredictable factors to cost accurately. HAVE YOU TRIED THE G WAGEN FORUMS I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY? Other possibility would be an engine transplant of a more modern design /availability second hand a M102 2.3 would fit-but might need a new or modified bell housing?
I’m going to check the G Wagon forum today. I was a member on there ages ago.
 
I stopped driving it a year or so ago. I sent Wayne Gates an email to see if they would do the work on it, but they said that something they don’t do. I’ll have to keep looking around 😒
Surely this is so simple an engine that any garage could change the head gasket on? The only objection I can see being raised is their ability to source parts. But if you supply the parts.....
 
Thank you for all the info. I had the head done a few years ago. If I remember rightly I was out one day and ran out of coolant so used water then this made things worse, then the real damaged set in. So not sure if the the head is totally damaged.
Just to be sure... the use of raw water was prior to the previous gasket change and since then it has always had anti-freeze?
 
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Good point that the engines being old could be a bit off putting for some garages.
Snapping head bolts could end up leading to spiralling costs and time which for some garages they cant justify vis a vis book price and upsetting customer with bigger than budgeted invoices.

where there is a will there is a way OP.
 
Just to be sure... the use of raw water was prior to the previous gasket change and since then it has always had anti-freeze?
Yes I used ant-freeze before. I also think I need a new Radiator, I found a place in Luton that reconditions fully metal ones like the one I have.
 
You might be interested in this video- its the 6 cylinder version M110 TWIN CAM engine but head work would be similar.
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see M115 TIMING GEAR

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ENGINE HOUSING MERCEDES M 115 (115938)

getImage.php
The video doesn’t play, there’s a black screen, it be a region problem.
 
Yes I used ant-freeze before. I also think I need a new Radiator, I found a place in Luton that reconditions fully metal ones like the one I have.
That doesn't answer my question. No matter, the point I was heading for was that if there has been raw water without anti-freeze in it over a winter it could have frozen and caused damage.
 
That doesn't answer my question. No matter, the point I was heading for was that if there has been raw water without anti-freeze in it over a winter it could have frozen and caused damage.
Sorry my bad I miss read the question. Yes after the gasket change I used raw water and yes I now remember it icing up over the winter
 

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