W124 petrol turned into a diesel overnight?

[Niks]

Your determined to sort your car out no matter how much time and money it ends up costing you right?

Go to PCS and let Olly check the whole car out for you from underneath to the engine problem. Least then you'll be in a much better situation to understand what is going on and what is needed. No matter how bad the problems will be, im sure you'll find the cash to put it all right

 

[nick mercedes]

I asked for a quote from reconditioned-engines.co.uk as they also fit engines. I'm ignoring their warranty as it's only under warranty if you let them service your car but they still look professional

Google "Heathrow Engine Centre" and then decide if having them "recondition" your engine is a good idea.

See also: engine warehouse

 

[Mr Nicey]

Neil.

Are you a Troll ? Your Story doesnt add up.

Good effort I think you fooled a few.

;-)

 

[neilz]

Err... why would I be a troll?

I am taking the car in on Thurs hopefully, the reason I haven't posted recently in this thread is because I've been busy and there have been no new developments. I found one on eBay but it got sold but the seller said he'd let me know if they found a new one.

Seriously, what an idiot you are suggesting I'm a troll when my car is not sounding at all well. What doesn't add up exactly, Mr know-it-all?

Maybe for you?

 

[stwat]

I have just read through all of this.

Is this a dream or am I awake ?

 

[nick mercedes]

Err... why would I be a troll?

I am taking the car in on Thurs hopefully

It's not going to the infamous engine "reconditioners" in Southall is it??

 

[Mr Nicey]

Trolls,

Good for a laugh and then tedium.

Your 220 Story is missing something. Cant quite put my finger on it. I think its just a load of silly b*ll**** probably because you bought a toad, and then kissed it and its still a toad.

Have it toad away and buy yourself and nice Skoda Labia.

 

[neilz]

I've reported that offensive post...

Anyway, for everyone else:

Fuel service finally done one month on, the car is a lot quieter and runs a lot smoother but still makes the same sound.

Well, I have news - it's not the engine. That's in perfect health. It is, in fact, where the exhaust is joined to the manifold. At the end of the exhaust pipe heading towards the engine there is a mildly angled tube (a pair of those on mine, the exhaust pipe splits into two) which in turn connects to pipes which connect to the exhaust manifold and both tubes are severely corroded and LOOSE. I can move them left and right by an inch or so, and they have lots of rust holes in them. I have photos if anyone wants them, but roughly how much would it cost including labour to have both replaced?

 

[neilz]

I found someone with the same problem: w124 e220 downpipe and catalyst - Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums

But how much would a repair cost and would you recommend anywhere in particular in the London area?

I still don't know how asking for help with a car I want to keep on the road is trolling, but there you go, some people are just horrible!

 

[BillyW124]

Not sure of a repair, but the down pipe and catalyst is one piece, original MB will cost you over a grand. £1293.60 to be exact inc VAT

you dont want to repair these items, idealy they should be replaced in my opinion if its in a really rough state

 

[neilz]

But could it just be the heatshield? That's available separately isn't it? And I would just go for a repair as the rest of the car isn't immaculate and I have greater priorities like the wiring harness and the bodywork which I'm starting to do myself

 

[BillyW124]

the heat sheids come as part of the whole down pipes and Cat. u cannot get these seperate

 

[neilz]

Ah... how long will Jubilee Clips hold for and any idea (roughly) how much a repair would cost (welding or patching)?

 

[Mr Nicey]

Get an Acetylene Burner that should help it along.

 

[neilz]

Thanks, but I ended up getting the heat shield cut off, the garage found the previous owner had wedged a bolt in it to try to stop it rattling.

The car is now sold, £900, with the engine running as new and the interior in good condition but the bodywork in serious need of help.

I now have a W140 S320 (for just £1200 from a garage I always used for repairs on my better looked after cars in the past, the garage bought it for its private number plate a year ago and never used it) and what an amazing car it is (1997, 1 Saudi owner (used a chauffeur), 65000 miles from new). It's like going from 3rd class to business class!

 

[Mr Nicey]

Well done. Thank god you finally dumped the w124. It sounded so ghastly I thoguht it was a wind up. Hence labelling you a troll.

So I apologise unresevervedly.


Enjoy the 320 !

Rob

 

[neilz]

I was very sad to see it go, but the 3 Poles who bought it wanted to treat it as a bit of a hobbyist project so it's not being scrapped as far as I know!

It really was in that bad cosmetic condition, but ran like a dream by the time I sold it. It managed over 100mph no problem. But now I have air conditioning, wing mirrors that fold in, it is like moving up from travelling on the wings to travelling in business class. And no damn rust!