[W126 Coupe] 560SEC cracked engine block - how??

[kirk erichsen]

Dawid,

Thanks for the shop info, I'll keep that on hand in case another Saffa has need of it. It would sound as if you found the right fellow and perseverance paid off.  My only observation at this point would be that I think R25,000 seems a bit high, but if you are happy and he stands behind his work (1 year warranty is typical, though may be labour-only), then perhaps that's what really matters.

-K 

-------------------------
Kirk R. Erichsen
-------------------------



From: dawidl at solms.co.za
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:13:23 +0200
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 560SEC cracked engine block - how??

Hi Kirk,
It was actually closer to R25,000 - but this included all labour,  replacement of any bits that would need replacing (I'll get a full list on monday), and basically a complete 180,000km service. I drove the car today, and am quite happy - the motor is very smooth, and no smoke at all, not even after standing at a traffic light in our December 30ºC temperatures, and then doing a hard start (flooring it all the way until high RPM). My previous motor seemed to have a wee bit more actual power, but the difference is quite minor. And it's been 12 months since I drove it, so I might be imagining things.
Colin, from Carcol Executive (he is the closest and most capable MB specialist to me) found and fitted the motor. He is quite picky -this was the second one, after he rejected an earlier one he found.
I didn't actually use any of the contacts you so graciously provided, as the car was at Carcol at the time already, and I kept your listas a set of "Plan B" options if he couldn't find a motor. It appears as if he found an excellent motor, but of course, only time will tell.
all the best!Dawid

On 10 Dec 2010, at 12:37 AM, kirk erichsen wrote:Dawid,

I'm glad that worked out for you, though I have a few questions. With the current exchange rate, R20,700 for just the motor, or labour as well? I hope that including checking and replacing any bits before the motor went in (for example, those blasted rear main seals always seem to leak). 

Did you use any of the local MB specialists and parts suppliers I pointed you to? How was your experience if so? Could you please identify the shop you actually settled on so I can make a note of it?

With warm regard,

-K
 

------------------------- Kirk R. Erichsen -------------------------




> From: dawidl at solms.co.za

> To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com

> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 23:59:16 +0200

> Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 560SEC cracked engine block - how??

> 

> Hi All,

> 

> Just to give an update, I have finally found a second-hand replacement

> motor which has been fitted by my mechanic, after doing all necessary

> preventative maintenance, and he is very happy with how it runs (I pick

> my car up tomorrow).

> 

> Took a while to find one, but at about $3000 for an (excellent) motor, 

> this

> turned out a lot cheaper than a full rebuild (I hope the day when I 

> have to fund

> one of those doesn't come too soon!)

> 

> Thank you all for the help and kind words on this list, you are all 

> stars.

> I hope to be a happy SEC driver from tomorrow onwards, and if there is 

> one

> lesson I have learned from this experience, it's this:

> 

> With a 560SEC, when you suspect something is wrong, stop IMMEDIATELY and

> tow your car to safety, do not even drive it one block, or "hope for 

> the best".

> When these magnificent engines go, they go badly.

> 

> kind regards,

> Dawid

> 

> 

> On 04 Nov 2010, at 6:34 PM, Dawid Loubser wrote:

> 

> > Well, it's happened -

> >

> > Without any particular overheating, or other problems, my regularly- 

> > maintained

> > 1990 560SEC Euro has developed a crack in the engine block (my 

> > mechanic just showed

> > it to me today) and thus needs to be replaced (at immense cost, 

> > obviously). He will

> > present the options to me tomorrow. Basically, my car did start to 

> > overheat, and steamed

> > out of the exhaust, but I immediately stopped driving the car, and 

> > towed it to my local

> > specialist. I can't believe it overheated for long enough to cause 

> > this sort of damage,

> > I barely expected a ruptured head gasket.

> >

> > This all comes as a bit of a shock to me, I know this is going to be 

> > incredibly expensive

> > to sort out. I would like some opinion from the experts around here 

> > - has this happened to

> > you? Why would this happen?

> >

> > I am looking at other options, such as simply finding a good other 

> > engine (which I might

> > have a good lead on) - but honestly speaking, I am still in a bit of 

> > shock.

> >

> > kind regards to you all (I've been a lurker on this wonderful list 

> > for a *long* time - too long,

> > in fact)

> >

> > Dawid

> > The MB Coupes Website!

> > W126 SEC Mailing List

> > Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

> 

> The MB Coupes Website!

> W126 SEC Mailing List

> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

The MB Coupes Website!
W126 SEC Mailing List
Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

The MB Coupes Website!
W126 SEC Mailing List
Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C. 		 	   		  
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/mbcoupes/attachments/20101210/9529fa7f/attachment.htm>