Cracked Head

[Pauljay]

Hi Guys

Sorry for the long story, but I thought I'd give all the details.


I got stuck on the M25 last week after a bad crash caused miles of traffic on a hot day.

I managed to get my car to the sevices after it overheated and ran out of water!

I put a little water in the expansion tank whilst the engine was off, hoping the engine would heat the water as it trickled in. (Bad idea I know) The water didn't move so after a couple of mins I ran the engine for 10secs to pump it in. The water erupted like a geyser and emptied the tank again so I put some more in then ran the engine for a further 10sec. The same thing happened.

I had my 2 young kids with me and didn't want to get stuck on the M25 so I drove off towards a garage I knew. 2 miles on a message came up warning the engine oil was too hot. I pulled over and called the AA.

They took the car to the garage who called me the next day to say they suspected the right head had a crack in it as there was oil seeping onto the 2 plugs near the firewall. I was quoted £2000 to fix the engine by getting a replacement engine and transferring my Brabus cams and Evosport pullies onto it.


I couldn't afford to do that and I wanted the car as it was so I put the car up for sale here and on Gumtree as 'Brabus CLK' for £4000.


I'd love to keep the car but what I want to do costs too much for me.

The car is sound and you can check it out on my album to see pictures and a list of what's been done over the years.

I'm sad to see it go!

 

[mercedescl500]

Hi Paul sorry to hear about this. This is your pride and joy. Have you considered getting a new/used cylinder head and replacing the camshaft for your uprated one ? second hand cylinder heads can be picked up quite cheap. Its not a major DIY to change a cylinder head or camshaft (I am about to fit a new set of cams DIY on the driveway). I'm sure that the residents experts will all chime-in, but a cylinder head replacement would be under £500. HTH

 

[EndPoint]

why did u run out of water in the 1st place ? were u experiencing that problem long before ?

 

[BlackC55]

I have an C43 engine that you could have for £800.

I think you may struggle getting £4k for a broken car.

 

[Pauljay]

Thanks Guys for your input.

I have considered getting new heads but where to buy? Whole engines are going on EBAY which I considered cannabilising for parts.

On the motorway the needle was at 85c one minute 5mins later it was at 120c. The water warning didn't appear until after the water bubbled away when I turned the engine off.

Thanks Olly for the offer but I would miss the power which is why I wanted to transfer all my bits.

There is an engine I'm thinking of getting but it has 160,000m on it! If I took the heads off or even transfered my parts onto it, would it handle the extra power?

 

[grober]

Would agree with BlackC55 's comment about selling- a non runner has just too many "unknowns" - is the block sound? ---is the crank OK? what's the oil pressure like? Is the valve gear noisy or worn--- that's before you consider the transmission!!!! Inevitably any prospective buyer is going to budget for the worst case scenario even if they like the car when they make an offer.

 

[EndPoint]

It's a huge risk buying a car so heavily modified - and now "mercedead"

 

[EndPoint]

There is an engine I'm thinking of getting but it has 160,000m on it! If I took the heads off or even transfered my parts onto it, would it handle the extra power?

These numbers are nothing for a benz motor but u might subconsciously considering the fact that it wont handle the extra power as the current one didnt...

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
Have to agree with comments about being able to sell as a non runner, I would whip your heads off and get a definitive diagnosis of what is wrong before condemning the engine.
If the head is knackered, get a second hand one and get both crack tested and skimmed, should,nt be too expensive, then you could relapp the valves, new stem seals and refit the Cams yourself before refitting the heads yourself or by a garage.

 

[Pauljay]

Thanks Guys for the advice.

I've just spoke with a Guy called Victor in Lemmington Spa. He Said he could do the work for less than £2k. He also said that he has worked on a few cars from members here! In particular a black C43 that had a 55 conversion. Is that your car Andy?

He has helped another member who has had 2 engines from him and has posted about it.

I'm hoping this is a blessing as he seems to know his stuff!

 

[BlackC55]

What engine is fitted to your car? a 430 or 55?

 

[Pauljay]

2001, 55 n/a.

 

[mercedescl500]

You might be in luck

2001, 55 n/a.

Hi Paul, just a quick heads up. Theres a fella selling a clk55 engine and box on the "other" uk forum. Might be worth having a look...

Link
Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums

 

[Pauljay]

Hey Guys

I really want to keep my car so I've cancelled my ad and I'm now concentrating on ways to restore my engine. I'm also thinking about the gearbox solenoid mod for faster, firmer changes!

I've my bank manager to thank and also you Guys for your support!

 

[flango]

Is there no way of getting the head stitched and skimmed some of these German specialist companies can work wonders, not sure if there is any similar in the UK but I've never found one

 

[Beno]

Theres a engine machining specialist in basildon called smiths engines. I know in the past they were able to repair cracks in heads and blocks. We are talking a while ago. There still going you could give them a ring if they can't help they may know some one who can.

 

[Pauljay]

Hi Guys,


Mercedescl500 has been very helpful in pointing me to an engine up for sale. Unfortunately that engine has a bottom end problem!


I've instructed my garage to begin tear down of my engine to see the extent of the damage. So far they've told me that the oil and water haven't mixed and the 2 plugs near the fire wall on the drivers side have been fouled with oil.


They want to see why the car overheated and are looking at the viscous fan not spinning faster when it's needed.


If the head is cracked I will purchase the other engine and use the heads from that as it's low milage.


Just thinking out aloud though, why would a 40k milage motor have botttom end issues?

 

[Howard]

Nicks got a CLK 55 engine and box for sale at the moment.

 

[mercedescl500]

Hi guys, it's Nick's engine and box. He very kindly emailed me but I didn't respond in a timely fashion(my apologies Nick) . Paul you could mix n match the best of your engine and his engine to get your car up and running. Sell the bits you don't need or keep them for spares.

 

[mercedescl500]

Just a quick thought, could you not replace the 55 cylinder head with a 5.0/500 cylinder head ? swap the cam for your one, change over valves/springs and stems and job complete. The AMG 55 cams are a direct fit into a 5.0/500 Engine. HTH. It would now be a very cost effective way of fixing your car.