[W126 Coupe] 380 SEC pro and cons

[Shayegan, Richard]

IIRC it's 116.981 - 116.983 engine depending on the model. The single
row timing chain is only for pre-1984 models, and even then, the vast
majority have been converted to double-row chain since. It's supposed to
be a tough engine. I know mine, after 145,000 miles of a lot of hard
driving (until 2 years ago it was about 85% city  - Washington, DC city
- miles, and even though now its mostly highway its mostly WOT highway),
has like new compression. I have gone through my share of timing chains
(one every 60k miles), but apparently this is because nobody who's
changed the oil on this car (neither the dealership back when the car
was under warranty, my dad until I was about 14, nor me until the last
change) was letting it get oil pressure up before starting the car.
Also, the driver's side cam has been replaced twice, but both times I
think it had been damaged by bad timing resultant from a VERY loose
chain. Other than timing chains, the car has seen fuel injector seals, a
fuel distributor, and a water pump, but I think the same would go for
any 19 year old car. It's supposed to be one of the tougher engines from
what I hear, though that probably has something to do with the extremely
low hp and low compression ratio (IIRC the US versions are 8:1).

 

I hear the rear main seal tends to leak on the 380's. I know mine leaked
for about a decade, then they came out with these high mileage oils, so
I tried it, and after 2 years of using it my leak is gone. It's a nice
engine for cruising as it will do 120mph quietly and smoothly all day,
but it sure takes a long time to get up there.

 

Richard

 

________________________________

From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Bill P.
Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 1:35 PM
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] 380 SEC pro and cons

 

A weak timing chain!  Single chain! 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]On Behalf Of Rockymiranti at aol.com
Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 13:00
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Subject: [W126 Coupe] 380 SEC pro and cons

 

Looking at 380 SEC to buy, whats soft spots, what are strengths does
this model have? Does car have the 117 engine? Any comments?

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