280S what to do?

[oscar]

Ok forget the carby, now what?

Check out the following, click for a bigger view.


Firstly, here's where I noticed bubbling, right in that corner there.  I can't see a join or a hole, it's always wet there





Took the cam cover off.  Look normal?





And a closer look.





I knew I had a leaking radiator, there's a tiny hole up top near the inlet and slow leaks in a heater hose, however, what's the brown scum??




Is this a parts car after all?  Should I bother?  Should I start a poll?   The oil is milky but doesn't appear green, not sure whether it would be if radiator coolant enters the block but maybe the water came from somewhere else.

Anyway, what should I do to remedy this as in NOW, before it causes more damage, or should I start stripping?

[WGB]

Any car I've ever had with brown scum in the radiator has had a porous head or head gasket leak.

I also would never use that green ?glycol ?coolant with M-B aluminium as any of the Mercedesshop.com comments I have seen suggest it eats it.

Bill

[oscar]

Hi Bill, can you remember the thread here that talked about it.  I remember reading about it but not sure what the verdict was about alternatives apart from the MB stuff.  I wouldn't mind reading it again if you've got the link.   Cheers

BTW s class if you're watching, that Y piece on the exhaust is cracked after all, right in the corner of the flange that stretches between the "Y".  Took a photo but it didn't show up.

[s class]

oscar, of course I'm watching, but I can't see imageshack, dropshots and similar pics at work due to admin policies.  I will look at home to see your pics.  I'm sorry about your Y piece, but I can't say I'm surprised.  Ryan

[oscar]

Basically there's water in the engine somehow and brown scum in the radiator. I've never had to deal with this sort of problem so I'm not sure what to do.  I should transfer the images to the forum.  I have to go for the moment, but I'll be back later.

[s class]

Oscar, I was waiting for someone else to tell you first.  It does appear as PB states.  M110 parts are pretty cheap, and personally if I were you, I would DIY it as a great learning experience.  Remember French Denis?  He replaced a blown head gasket in his W126 M110 himself in pretty short time, and Idon't recall him reporting any drama.  If you do DIY it, just read up first.  Half the head bolts secure only the head to the block, the other ones are longer and go through the cam box as well.  Its important that they are realsed in the correct sequence.  Also, before releasing the chain, make sure the engine is rotated to the assembly position.  I cant remember what that is for the M110, but v8's are usually 45 degrees of crank. 

Before going into all this, you may want to first get a cooling system pressure test and litmus test at a radiator workshop to confirm the suspicions.

Ryan

[oscar]

Well, there's 3 pretty convincing posts. 

It will be a good learning experience and I have nothing to loose.


I wont be able to start this for a while.  What should I do as far as preserving/storing it?  ie; fuel tank, engine, radiator etc

[WGB]

Hi Oscar,

Here is the thread that discussed the coolant.

http://forum.w116.org/index.php/topic,1090.0.html

Best of luck

Bill

[oscar]

Titled "Which coolant?" How obvious I should've searched.

I feel like a goose.  With a few threads going astray I thought this coolant topic could have easily started from a tyre thread.  Thanks for the link WGB.

[gregdeklerk]

Oscar glad to see you are determined to keep the 280S on the road. When you do tackle it, please take lots of pictures and keep us updated. Good luck.

Greg

[WGB]

Hi Oscar,

I photographed a couple of bottles of Mercedes Blue coolant in my shed but I can't upload them as there is some maintenance going on in the Gallery.

The part No for a 1.5 litre bottle is A 000 989 08 25 10 and I dilute 50:50 with demineralised water (From the Supermarket).

My plan of attack would be
1) Get leak diagnosed for sure and then do whatever is required to repair it (Welded/Skimmed/guides/replacement head and whatever the budget stands + new Gasket set).
2) get radiator cleaned (Rodded with tanks removed by radiator specialist - cost me $70 for my 450 rad 2 years ago - if serviceable) and leaks repaired at the same time.
3) New or serviceable hoses, thermostat, Rad Cap
4) Make sure you are happy with the waterpump
5) Put in decent coolant to prevent it happening again.

Plan B - fill it up with Bars Leaks or equivalent and sell quickly to distant stranger.

Bill

[oscar]

And I suppose there's no turning back now either.  Plus a good excuse to buy new tools.   Al though some of the special tools like a cam shaft wrench can be adapted with an adjustable shifter wrench and protective cloth.  We'll see.

I might just keep using this thread whilst I pick everyone's brains.  First thing I did was remove that smiley that was supposed to be pissed-off-face. 

Now for a question about tools for the job:

Can you remove rocker arms without the special tool?
What about valve wrench?  I kinda think I can bend an old cheapy spanner to to the same.

[Des]

Oscar, whats the body like on your car? the pictures Nutz posted show her to be in pretty good nick.

You know everyone will tell you here to fix it up, and keep her going.

[Brian Crump]

Oscar - even I have done heads.1 on a Fiat 2300 and 1 on a Lancia Flavia horizontally opposed motor. All I did was follow the workshop manual. That means you can do it and you know the www.116.org will talk you into it anyway....
My GPS says it is 7.5 hours from Sydney to your place so we can have our first self-help group on your head!!!
BC

[oscar]

Des:
Bodywise excellent.  BTW, nutz's photos are of a different car, but I was surprised how much it was like mine.  I've previously said the car was rust free however I've found behind the right rear weel arch in the boot to make a distinct "crunch" sound.  Only a small spot.  Plus there's damage on right rear door and a poor bog job with some fallen out and an ok respray to the area.  If that door's fixed, it'll look tops.  If I stuff the motor completely, the body will be a candidate for a replacement motor absolutely.  In many ways, the 280's body and definitely the interior, is better than the 350.

Brian and all:
I have mixed news.  I'm not going to pull the head off yet!!!  I'm disappointed but I'm working on lawn in a backyard that's not quite level and I can't use my shed till our house is finished later in the year.  Also I saved the 280S relevant online manuals after I got the car and spent a good deal of today and last night reading.  It's doable but I need to study up more, purchase more tools, and wait for cooler weather. 38o here tomorrow (100F).

Brian, I  was typing this out when you posted.  That's a very cool idea you propose.  Even if I am to benefit the most.   It's impractical at the moment for reasons stated above, particularly the inappropriate workspace. HOWEVER, the idea of the Sel Help Group  (couldn't resist sorry) going on road sounds exciting.  Later in the year, no problems for me to host.  But in the meantime, you know I'm always looking out for any get togethers, including the any self help group in Syd that eventuates.

WGB, you gave me an idea, I bought CarGo Seal Up similar to Bars leaks.  Might as well experiment and see what will happen.  Perfect opportunity for product testing.