[W126 Coupe] Head Gasket Blown

[Jonathan Hodgman]

I'd go w/ rebuilding your motor.  One thing of note, as 200K, I would
change the lower rails and timing gears/idlers as well.  Has your
injection boot, plenum seals etc been replaced?  If not they'll be
bone dry at this point.  While you are in there it would make sense to
do the water pump, especially if you go ahead and pull the front
cover. I have found that by that mileage the seals on the front cover
are rather dry/hard as well.

You have No idea what kind of life that other motor lived....when was
the oil changed, how hard was it driven etc..  Stick w/ your motor.

Oh, when were you engine/trans mounts/shocks replaced last?

Be a good time to do low pressure power steering hose as well.

Jonathan



On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 16:09:13 -0500, Axel Wulff <axelwulff at hotmail.com> wrote:
> I brought the car in this morning because it had been running a little warm
> lately, sitting in traffic for long periods of time. Was going to have them
> do the usual maintenance at the same time, brakes, oil change, odds and
> ends.
> 
> When my mechanic pulled the dipstick for the oil the contents appeared
> "milky" and they reckon that the head gasket is leaking coolant into the oil
> and oil down the side of the engine.
> 
> Worst case scenario is $5,500 and includes:
> - New cams ($700)
> - Valve stems and guides
> - Timing chain and guides/tensioner
> - Head gasket (of course..)
> 
> All in all, about $3,250 in parts ($$3,450 if I decide to change the water
> pump as well) and about $2,000 in labor.
> 
> As the engine has already 200K miles on it, should I be looking for a
> replacement engine instead? My mechanic called around and found one in
> California with 111K on it. Installed (with new timing chain) it will run me
> $4,400.
> 
> What is the better option? 200K engine with a head job or take the chance on
> a 111K replacement engine?
> 
> Your inputs would be appreciated.
> 
> Regards,
> Axel J. Wulff
> 
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