What tools do i need to change the camshafts on my W126? - Page 2 - MBClub UK

**jaymanek** · 21-11-2009, 06:26 PM

depends how bad the tap is.. have you tried changing flushing and changing the oil?

Ive never heard of worn cams on a W126.. maybe a sticky valve? are you getting any misfire?

My R107 has a light tap, its always been there but does no harm.. its only done very low miles!

andymerc · 21-11-2009, 08:28 PM

As above and remove rocker covers check cam lubes and feed pipes for blockages.

jontyash · 21-11-2009, 09:18 PM

Hi All and thanks for your replies!

I haven't changed the oil yet no but it looks nice and clean. It is misfiring yes, not a lot but it especially when on idle. You can barely notice it though.

One thing I noticed today while flushing the coolant - the noise only comes from the nearside part of the engine. I listened really carefully and the other side is definintely not a loud.

I'm just guessing but wouldn't both the cams wear out equally? Wouldn't I have the same noise on the other side of the engine too? Maybe not but just wondering.

Looking at the price for new cams, there's no way I can do that. I'd definitely go for a second hand lump if the cams are £500 a pop! Jees!

As far as FTP sites go - there's Free File Hosting - File Dropper: File Host for Mp3, Videos, Music, Documents. or A quick and easy way to send large files - simply Mail Big File which are both free - I'd really appreciate you putting that document up there, thanks!

jontyash · 21-11-2009, 09:20 PM

I'll post a video on Youtube tomorrow with the engine running - you can all hear it then! lol. I'm sure you won't be interested but I'll do it anyway, it'll be fun!

khimani_mohiki · 22-11-2009, 12:31 AM

both GSF and Euro Car Parts do cam shafts and most of the other bits you would need, reasonable prices too. Could always try german ebay as well.

johnsco · 22-11-2009, 12:51 AM

Have you actually looked at the cams ?
If oil changes / flushes are neglected on these V8s, the oil feed pipes can block and this starves one or more cams of oil.
However - If the cam starts to wear, they will probably wear quite quickly and this will be obvious if you look closely.
Remove the valve covers and check for worn cams before doing anything.

I had this problem some 8 years ago on our old 380SE.
One cam badly-worn on each side..

Almost certainly due to poor maintenance in the past.

jontyash · 22-11-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khimani_mohiki

I was thinking of doing some top end work on my SEC, strictly amatuer though, im not putting grands and grands into it though when second hand engines are a couple of hundred quid on ebay. I have the W126 service manual on my computer, if anyone can point me to an FTP i can upload it

I've put the FTP sites in a post above mate. Either of these are good to use.

Thanks!

Jon

khimani_mohiki · 22-11-2009, 05:37 PM

i tried on of them and it locked up after i uploaded, PM your address and ill burn off a copy and stick it in the post

jontyash · 30-11-2009, 05:46 PM

Thanks mate - got the CD in the post today! Brill, thanks a lot!!

khimani_mohiki · 01-12-2009, 06:39 PM

ive got a little smoke coming from the rear of my left hand cylinder bank, not sure if its just a leaky cam cover gasket or a blown head gasket, cars been standing for a couple of months (but started regularly) and never used to smoke before i took it off the road. So basically it looks like ill be taking my cam cover off too

**jaymanek** · 01-12-2009, 07:26 PM

try the rocker cover gasket.

khimani_mohiki · 01-12-2009, 07:46 PM

think it could just be a loose bolt, i remember the previous owner said changed it, so might not have tightened everything up properly

jontyash · 02-12-2009, 05:19 PM

damn - hope it's just a gasket. Still not sure what to do with mine - I'll look at it over chrimbo I think. Good luck with yours khimani!

johnsco · 03-12-2009, 01:02 PM

The valve cover gaskets do tend to get a bit brittle with age.
They need to be fitted with care and patience - But they will give you a perfect seal.

khimani_mohiki · 09-12-2009, 11:51 AM

got the cover off and the seal was baked, had to break it off into little pieces with a pair of pliers, new one went on fine. From what i could tell my cam lobes looked fine and the guides were a nice shade of red with no apparent cracks, not bad for 183k miles.

Have you started on the rebuild yet then Jonty? looks like there is a ton of stuff to remove before you even get around to the heads.

21-11-2009, 06:26 PM	#16
jaymanek Authorised Forum Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: Lots of Mercedes! Posts: 14,488	depends how bad the tap is.. have you tried changing flushing and changing the oil? Ive never heard of worn cams on a W126.. maybe a sticky valve? are you getting any misfire? My R107 has a light tap, its always been there but does no harm.. its only done very low miles! Last edited by jaymanek; 21-11-2009 at 06:34 PM.

21-11-2009, 09:18 PM	#18
jontyash Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fleet, Hants Car: W126 500SE Posts: 146	Hi All and thanks for your replies! I haven't changed the oil yet no but it looks nice and clean. It is misfiring yes, not a lot but it especially when on idle. You can barely notice it though. One thing I noticed today while flushing the coolant - the noise only comes from the nearside part of the engine. I listened really carefully and the other side is definintely not a loud. I'm just guessing but wouldn't both the cams wear out equally? Wouldn't I have the same noise on the other side of the engine too? Maybe not but just wondering. Looking at the price for new cams, there's no way I can do that. I'd definitely go for a second hand lump if the cams are £500 a pop! Jees! As far as FTP sites go - there's Free File Hosting - File Dropper: File Host for Mp3, Videos, Music, Documents. or A quick and easy way to send large files - simply Mail Big File which are both free - I'd really appreciate you putting that document up there, thanks! __________________ Proud owner of a W126 500SE - Risked everything to own it but got lucky and didn't get shot, dumped in the boot and re-sold on ebay when I bought it Wife also still talking to me...

21-11-2009, 08:28 PM	#17
andymerc Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: sidcup kent Car: 300te 4matic Posts: 131	As above and remove rocker covers check cam lubes and feed pipes for blockages.

21-11-2009, 09:20 PM	#19
jontyash Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fleet, Hants Car: W126 500SE Posts: 146	I'll post a video on Youtube tomorrow with the engine running - you can all hear it then! lol. I'm sure you won't be interested but I'll do it anyway, it'll be fun!

22-11-2009, 12:31 AM	#20
khimani_mohiki Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cheadle, Staffs Car: 1992 190E, 1989 500SEC, 1968 220/8 Posts: 456	both GSF and Euro Car Parts do cam shafts and most of the other bits you would need, reasonable prices too. Could always try german ebay as well.

22-11-2009, 12:51 AM	#21
johnsco Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Barnsley Car: E300TD + E430 Posts: 1,282	Have you actually looked at the cams ? If oil changes / flushes are neglected on these V8s, the oil feed pipes can block and this starves one or more cams of oil. However - If the cam starts to wear, they will probably wear quite quickly and this will be obvious if you look closely. Remove the valve covers and check for worn cams before doing anything. I had this problem some 8 years ago on our old 380SE. One cam badly-worn on each side.. Almost certainly due to poor maintenance in the past.

22-11-2009, 05:37 PM	#23
khimani_mohiki Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cheadle, Staffs Car: 1992 190E, 1989 500SEC, 1968 220/8 Posts: 456	i tried on of them and it locked up after i uploaded, PM your address and ill burn off a copy and stick it in the post

30-11-2009, 05:46 PM	#24
jontyash Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fleet, Hants Car: W126 500SE Posts: 146	Thanks mate - got the CD in the post today! Brill, thanks a lot!!

01-12-2009, 06:39 PM	#25
khimani_mohiki Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cheadle, Staffs Car: 1992 190E, 1989 500SEC, 1968 220/8 Posts: 456	ive got a little smoke coming from the rear of my left hand cylinder bank, not sure if its just a leaky cam cover gasket or a blown head gasket, cars been standing for a couple of months (but started regularly) and never used to smoke before i took it off the road. So basically it looks like ill be taking my cam cover off too

01-12-2009, 07:26 PM	#26
jaymanek Authorised Forum Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: Lots of Mercedes! Posts: 14,488	try the rocker cover gasket.

01-12-2009, 07:46 PM	#27
khimani_mohiki Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cheadle, Staffs Car: 1992 190E, 1989 500SEC, 1968 220/8 Posts: 456	think it could just be a loose bolt, i remember the previous owner said changed it, so might not have tightened everything up properly

02-12-2009, 05:19 PM	#28
jontyash Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fleet, Hants Car: W126 500SE Posts: 146	damn - hope it's just a gasket. Still not sure what to do with mine - I'll look at it over chrimbo I think. Good luck with yours khimani!

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03-12-2009, 01:02 PM	#29
johnsco Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Barnsley Car: E300TD + E430 Posts: 1,282	The valve cover gaskets do tend to get a bit brittle with age. They need to be fitted with care and patience - But they will give you a perfect seal.

09-12-2009, 11:51 AM	#30
khimani_mohiki Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cheadle, Staffs Car: 1992 190E, 1989 500SEC, 1968 220/8 Posts: 456	got the cover off and the seal was baked, had to break it off into little pieces with a pair of pliers, new one went on fine. From what i could tell my cam lobes looked fine and the guides were a nice shade of red with no apparent cracks, not bad for 183k miles. Have you started on the rebuild yet then Jonty? looks like there is a ton of stuff to remove before you even get around to the heads.