New member needs help

[bluemonday]

where to begin...............
lent car to friend along with some money........... had to trailer car back with keys thrown on seat.Car was almost perfect when lent now not so good......

1991 Merc 300e petrol,129,000 miles with full dealer service, stood for three years, starts although lumpy, stops when gets up to temp, does not overheat, some mayonaise type stuff in the oil can anyone help? Please

 

[Ian B Walker]

Hi and welcome. On first glance it sounds very much like your cylinder head gasket blown. Take out the spark plugs after running for a few moments and see if they are wet. Also check the expansion tank to see if there are any bubbles in it or oil. If you have the ability to do a compression check I would do that too.

 

[bluemonday]

Hi thanks for reply, no oil in expansion tank, cant get plugs out,
Is it worth saving or shall i break her up?

 

[Ian B Walker]

Hi thanks for reply, no oil in expansion tank, cant get plugs out,
Is it worth saving or shall i break her up?

Nooooooooooooooooo don't break it. Its a future classic, well I think so anyway. Others will shout me down. How handy are you with spanners? Do it yourself would cost you about £150, folks like me about £650 - 700.

Just thinking 1991.......24 valve jobbie, see the red above

 

[bluemonday]

Time to part

Just had serious discussion with better half


Mercedes 300e auto petrol. colour black, original wheels, 23 service stamps in book by main dealer, tidy interior fabric, 129k missed last service as explained.............seems a shame but she has to go.
sounds like an add but i would rather someone bring her back to life or will be going to scrappers.........can't believe i said that, you dont know how much this car used to mean to me......£160 per ton for end of life cars at moment.......shes better than that

 

[GRAV888]

Just had serious discussion with better half


sounds like an add

Yes it does (you need 30 posts for that)

 

[bluemonday]

Not handy with spanners anyway, there are complications.... 1990 VW golf diesel VAN with 175k and runs like a little swiss watch

 

[bluemonday]

new member begs forgiveness

 

[Ian B Walker]

Why don't you call me in the morning. 01772 681210

 

[grober]

Hi thanks for reply, no oil in expansion tank, cant get plugs out,
Is it worth saving or shall i break her up?

Pour copious amounts of coca-cola into the plug recesses in the head ( No I am not kidding- converts rust- iron oxide to soluble iron phosphate- coke contains phosphoric acid) and leave for a couple of days- top up if necessary- should free up the plugs.

 

[bluemonday]

Thanks for that will get some coke and try that

 

[stats007]

If the car worked before your friend had it I'd be having words. In fact I'd be having words anyway...

 

[bigtee]

Why not treat the poor thing to a service if you do it yourself with the help of the haynes manual you will save £££££££££.

You also get to learn a few things, if been stood for 3yrs maybe dodgy ht leads, faulty plugs, water in fuel, etc..

 

[Uberwagon]

Firstly I would check to make sure what you are seeing is actually a failed head gasket or just condensation, as it has been standing for so long.

Clean as much of the stuff out as possible, then restart the engine, monitor the header tank, check for bubbles, check for very hard water pipes etc and then after the engine has become fully hot, from a short drive if possible then recheck the filler cap, if no signs of water then i'd be tempted to look elsewhere before pulling it to pieces.

Dave!

 

[bluemonday]

thanks everyone for your comments and advice, still deciding

 

[Dieselman]

The cutting out is probably a combination of condensation in the distributor cap/plug housings and an air leak into the manifold. As the engine warms it comes off fast idle and increases manifold vacuum as a result so draws more air in and cutting the engine.
Check all the vacuum pipes and the injector O rings for air being drawn in. probably the O rings have dried out through lack of use.

I agree with Uberwagon about the mayonaise, it's probably condensation unless the coolant tank is also suffering.