W126 300se - wet block

[BMcK]

Hi all,

So this lovely girl has been tempting me for a long time. It has 114k miles on it and has been garaged since 2005. Bodywork is in very good shape, as is the interior. However the engine block is very wet. I know the owner pretty well and asked him if he'd get it up and running so that I could take it for a spin. I suspect he had his mechanic give it a go hence why the block looks freshly wet on the front end, drivers side. I had a quick spin in it a few years ago and noticed the oil pressure was quite low and now that I see the wet block I assume the head gasket is gone? Or could it be worse?

Thanks

Barry

 

[BMcK]

 

[BMcK]

 

[optimusprime]

I recon she could make a show car . And well worth some TLC ..The rocker box gasket could be part of the problem . Pull a spark plug out and if is got oil in the plug hole its the gasket / Easy job to fix it ..The goal post gasket is another peoblem most of these have with oil leaking from it Looks like the M103 engine . Is it a 2.6 or 3L ?

 

[BMcK]

Thanks for the reply! I reckon it's a beauty too - just needs some love but I want to be careful too. It's a 3 litre. 300se. Someone else said it could be the goal post too. Which one is worse? Just want to cost the worst case scenario. Hard question but what value would you put on something like that, as is?

 

[optimusprime]

Well goal popst gasket will be hatder to replace than the rocker box gasket. Do you have a manual on the W126 ? I have one for my model W124 that includes your engine ,so you can use it to find out about the repair . Use this link its free Model 124 Maintenance Manual Index

 

[BMcK]

Well goal popst gasket will be hatder to replace than the rocker box gasket. Do you have a manual on the W126 ? I have one for my model W124 that includes your engine ,so you can use it to find out about the repair . Use this link its free Model 124 Maintenance Manual Index

thats great - thanks for that.

 

[optimusprime]

No problem its my pleasure. Need more just ask

 

[BMcK]

had a chat with the chap selling it earlier. he values it at "high teens" which implied €18-19k! Given it's been sitting for the guts of 20 years my valuation was closer to €8k. But in any case, we're too far apart in our respective valuations for this to go any further unfortunately. Out of interest, if it was recommissioned through a major service, including the new seals to the head, brakes, discs etc what kind of cost/outlay would that likely be?

 

[optimusprime]

Looks nice but i would buy one in first class condition to start with Do some searching on Ebay to get an idea the price./ To much to buy never mind the cost to get it road worthy use this link - Pardon our interruption...

 

[BlackC55]

Head gaskets are very common to leak oil. We did a 300SE recently with this issue. Easy to do and worthwhile. We did stem seals etc too.

 

[optimusprime]

So what do you think about the price of the car to start with ? remember it needs work.

 

[BMcK]

So what do you think about the price of the car to start with ? remember it needs work.

I think it's worth €8k, maybe less but the bodywork is mint, so the base is solid. Id allow maybe €4k to give it what it needs then. One will come up. I have the luxury of time!

 

[optimusprime]

Well i wish you good luck in yor project...bit like me after i was gifted my W124 back in 2014 i have 4 folders of bills and i still have a few amall jobs to do .