W210 Head Gasket Replacement - wish me luck!

[bob6600]

Well after trying a couple of 'miracle cures' (K-seal and Steel Seal) I am still losing water and it is definitely going into the engine. So that leaves me with a few choices

1. Scrap the car
2. Pay £1000-£1400 to have the HG done
3. Pay circa £1000 to have a second hand engine put in
4. Do it myself

The car was not due to be replaced until late next year for financial reasons and so I don't want to buy a 'stop-gap' which I will probably not enjoy driving. Seeing as it will be scrap if not done, I have nothing to lose bar some time if I don't succeed.

So, looking at WIS, everything seems straight forward...I have removed the intake and exhaust before so no issues there. The only concern is where I have to ensure engine is at TDC and to use camshaft locking pins.

Also, is an MB gasket essential or can anyone recommend any other good ones? ECP sell Elring I think?

If anyone has done one and has any advice or pointers, all comments are welcome and appreciated.

I also am about to order a locking kit so if anyone has one I can hire or borrow, please let me know.

Wish me luck!

 

[Headhurts]

I wish you luck but that’s all as my technical knowledge is non existent.

Plenty on here who are sooo clever though.

Robin


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Dutchbenz]

First of all, even before taking things apart, flush the coolingsystem with water thorougly to be sure you get rid of the copper glitter from K- and Steelseal.
Sooner or later it will block heater matrixes and radiatorchannels.
See to it you have tools ready in advance such as a proper torquewrench.
As for gaskets, I have always liked Elring for their quality.
And last but not least, take your time, do it all by the book at the right torquesettings. Todays aluminium parts are very sensitive for torqueing when there are gaskets involved that can leak.
Success, Tony.

 

[Wigglesworth]

Well if this is a V6 I would be interested in seeing how you go. Pictures and a run down would be great to see.

These W210's are really nice to drive so I can see why you are looking at repair... The timing chain side of things is the biggest thing that puts me off meddling with anything major on my engine!

Good luck, if you are able to take the intake apart that's most of the job anyway so you should be fine

 

[clk320x]

Well after trying a couple of 'miracle cures' (K-seal and Steel Seal) I am still losing water and it is definitely going into the engine. So that leaves me with a few choices

1. Scrap the car
2. Pay £1000-£1400 to have the HG done
3. Pay circa £1000 to have a second hand engine put in
4. Do it myself

The car was not due to be replaced until late next year for financial reasons and so I don't want to buy a 'stop-gap' which I will probably not enjoy driving. Seeing as it will be scrap if not done, I have nothing to lose bar some time if I don't succeed.

So, looking at WIS, everything seems straight forward...I have removed the intake and exhaust before so no issues there. The only concern is where I have to ensure engine is at TDC and to use camshaft locking pins.

Also, is an MB gasket essential or can anyone recommend any other good ones? ECP sell Elring I think?

If anyone has done one and has any advice or pointers, all comments are welcome and appreciated.

I also am about to order a locking kit so if anyone has one I can hire or borrow, please let me know.

Wish me luck!

Bob,

As Robin, my technical knowledge is very limited...
However, I know that you are very very capable and definitely will be able to get this done...
Best of luck to you...

Abs

 

[bob6600]

I like to update my threads so here goes...

In between working out exactly what I needed and being ill, I didn't touch the car for nearly two weeks. I then topped up the water and thought when it disappears again it will either need the gasket doing or another oil change to keep it going. Well 6 weeks on and it's still going! Not lost a drop of water and the oil is clean, no evidence of water at all. The water is also as it should be so no mixing of oil! I would put this down to the 'Steel Seal' as that was the last additive I put in. Now, we'll have to see how long it lasts but is definitely doing it's job.

Luckily I hadn't ordered the gasket or some of the more expensive parts so not a large loss financially. The oil cap is now clean and no mayo at all. Today whilst on the m'way I heard a loud noise, like the exhaust was leaking. On further inspection it is simply the two outer fans coming on and running quite hard. Not had this before and probably unrelated but will start a thread if needed.

She lives on!