Howto change a head gasket on a 12v 3ltr M103 - Page 4

Dieselman · 04-01-2009, 11:49 PM

Your local MB dealer will get you a plug and washer for under a fiver.

Part A1179970230 , SCREW PLUG
Price: £3.51

Part A0069977548 , SEAL RING
Price: £0.86

Alternatively
http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/home/

ps2cho · 06-01-2009, 12:26 AM

Picked it up from the stealership today with those part numbers. Perfect

$16.20

ps2cho · 11-01-2009, 10:34 PM

What would you guys say about replacing the timing chain?

There does not seem to be any play in the chain...but with everything off, should I just do it for peace of mind?

Also, my memory jogged this morning about a small ticking noise at the back of the engine. It sounds like a spark plug "tick" but I never really identified exactly where it was coming from. Any thoughts?

Taking the head to the machine shop tomorrow first thing. Should have it back by the end of the week and have her up and running (hopefully) by the weekend. Can't wait!

nick mercedes · 11-01-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

What would you guys say about replacing the timing chain?

There does not seem to be any play in the chain...but with everything off, should I just do it for peace of mind?

Also, my memory jogged this morning about a small ticking noise at the back of the engine. It sounds like a spark plug "tick" but I never really identified exactly where it was coming from. Any thoughts?

Taking the head to the machine shop tomorrow first thing. Should have it back by the end of the week and have her up and running (hopefully) by the weekend. Can't wait!

103 chains don't give much trouble.

c240yaz · 11-01-2009, 10:39 PM

One of the best "How To's " ever posted on this forum

ps2cho · 12-01-2009, 01:20 AM

Got the water pump off today. Got a nice new Graf one waiting to go in soon as I receive the gasket from AutohausArizona on Tuesday.

The lower left bolt is an... absolute....ly lovely bolt to reach

You have to remove that crossmember that goes from the lower timing cover to behind the steering pump pulley which requires the pulley to be removed. After that I was able to reach it....but there is just not enough space to move the bolt otherwise. The other three were easy as the intake side could be moved enough.

Last two pictures are just a simple spray with engine degreaser....Havn't even gone to town with a brush yet. Not too bad!
She's gonna be super clean by the end

Sp!ke · 12-01-2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c240yaz

One of the best "How To's " ever posted on this forum

And yet it wasnt in the How To Section for some reason. .

Until now.

spock500 · 12-01-2009, 08:45 PM

Thats a good result with the de-greaser, any particular brand?

ps2cho · 13-01-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spock500

Thats a good result with the de-greaser, any particular brand?

Got it at Walmart for $1.62

Already threw away the can, sorry! I gotta get myself more of it for that price.

---

Any thoughts on that Tensioner guide in the picture above? Are those grooves normal or should I replace it? I'm kinda leaning towards leaving the chain alone as there isn't much, if any slack and the guide rails looks fine. I'm not getting any sounds from it so I see no reason to replace it at 90k miles right? It should be good for at least another 50-100k I understand.

spock500 · 13-01-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

Got it at Walmart for $1.62

Already threw away the can, sorry! I gotta get myself more of it for that price.

---
Any thoughts on that Tensioner guide in the picture above? Are those grooves normal or should I replace it? I'm kinda leaning towards leaving the chain alone as there isn't much, if any slack and the guide rails looks fine. I'm not getting any sounds from it so I see no reason to replace it at 90k miles right? It should be good for at least another 50-100k I understand
.

Cheers bud, I think its one of those 'I've got the head off may as well replace it' moments, but then again where do you stop

ps2cho · 14-01-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spock500

Cheers bud, I think its one of those 'I've got the head off may as well replace it' moments, but then again where do you stop

Agreed, lol.
Might as well replace the pistons too, right

spock500 · 14-01-2009, 11:32 AM

Yeah, those pesky pistons can get so badly worn they can lose their square shape and in some extreme circumstances actually appear round

ps2cho · 18-01-2009, 04:51 AM

Tomorrow is the big day! Everything is going back in. Gotta redo the oil pan gasket before I start putting the head back in though. Should be dead easy with the engine hoist this time around.

ps2cho · 27-01-2009, 04:29 AM

Everything is up and running

Successful. Just want to thank OP again for the great pictures. It helped me immensely!

04-01-2009, 11:49 PM	#46
Dieselman Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 19,310	Your local MB dealer will get you a plug and washer for under a fiver. Part A1179970230 , SCREW PLUG Price: £3.51 Part A0069977548 , SEAL RING Price: £0.86 Alternatively http://www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk/home/

06-01-2009, 12:26 AM	#47
ps2cho Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 31	Picked it up from the stealership today with those part numbers. Perfect $16.20

11-01-2009, 10:34 PM	#48
ps2cho Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 31	What would you guys say about replacing the timing chain? There does not seem to be any play in the chain...but with everything off, should I just do it for peace of mind? Also, my memory jogged this morning about a small ticking noise at the back of the engine. It sounds like a spark plug "tick" but I never really identified exactly where it was coming from. Any thoughts? Taking the head to the machine shop tomorrow first thing. Should have it back by the end of the week and have her up and running (hopefully) by the weekend. Can't wait!

11-01-2009, 10:39 PM	#50
c240yaz Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,103	One of the best "How To's " ever posted on this forum

12-01-2009, 01:20 AM	#51
ps2cho Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 31	Got the water pump off today. Got a nice new Graf one waiting to go in soon as I receive the gasket from AutohausArizona on Tuesday. The lower left bolt is an... absolute....ly lovely bolt to reach You have to remove that crossmember that goes from the lower timing cover to behind the steering pump pulley which requires the pulley to be removed. After that I was able to reach it....but there is just not enough space to move the bolt otherwise. The other three were easy as the intake side could be moved enough. Last two pictures are just a simple spray with engine degreaser....Havn't even gone to town with a brush yet. Not too bad! She's gonna be super clean by the end

12-01-2009, 08:45 PM	#53
spock500 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Milton Keynes Car: C250D Posts: 653	Thats a good result with the de-greaser, any particular brand?

14-01-2009, 11:32 AM	#57
spock500 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Milton Keynes Car: C250D Posts: 653	Yeah, those pesky pistons can get so badly worn they can lose their square shape and in some extreme circumstances actually appear round

18-01-2009, 04:51 AM	#58
ps2cho Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 31	Tomorrow is the big day! Everything is going back in. Gotta redo the oil pan gasket before I start putting the head back in though. Should be dead easy with the engine hoist this time around.

27-01-2009, 04:29 AM	#59
ps2cho Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 31	Everything is up and running Successful. Just want to thank OP again for the great pictures. It helped me immensely!

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