i spent the better part of last night reading posts on MBWorld and 190Revolution and i was wondering how much truth there is to all these horrific posts......for example i saw alot of posts about blown head gaskets..the way the posts are written it seems that these cars blow head gaskets on a regular basis and for no apparent reason....now is this the 2.3 motor or the 2.6? or is it all 190E motors...and whats the deal with the un-repairable oil leak on the timing cover i read about? is it true that the timing chain covers leak and if the leak is repaired it will leak again within a year? does this apply to all motors too? i also read about warped valve covers...now how likely is that? ive always owned nissan's which i always assumed to be of lower quality than Mercs but i have never encountered a warped valve cover.....do the 190E valve covers really warp easily?...does this happen under normal driving conditions or only when you drive them like F1 cars???

i mainly ask all this because i just bought a 92 2.6 and i know there are certain details that need to be fixed such as the spots of oil on my driveway and the fact my auxiliary fans do not turn off.....but i want to know if this is really a car i can depend on...i do not plan on racing this car or driving it spiritedly..its only a car to go out to the bars in on the weekends or the beach.....is it possible to permanantly fix oil leaks on a 2.6? will me head gasket blow for no apparent reason after a certain amount of time? my car has 128K miles on it and i hope the head gasket isnt going to blow out soon unless i run the car with no water...or....
am i just being paranoid....

i just want a car i can go out in with friends ..get drunk and have a sober girl drive us all home

any input is greatly appreciated

thanks

 

Hi DarkMachine:

I have a 1993 190E 2.3 with 71K miles, and I had a blown head gasket back around 40K miles. Not sure what caused it, but I've kept an eye on the engine temp ever since. The dealer said the four cylinders won't take excessive heat. No oil leaks since they fixed the blown head gasket. That's impressive by itself since every other car I've owned has leaked oil.

My 190E has been dependable. It's never left me on the side of road, unlike the other cars I've owned. I take my 190E in for regular maintenance. It's been fairly expensive to keep in good repair, but I really like the car. Classic good looks that will never go out of style.

 

I'm in England & on my second 190E 2.5-16 ('89, 74k, smoked silver, fast). I've never come across anybody here with head gasket probs. & I know people who've had 1.8s, 2.0s, 2.3-16s. 2.6s & of course, the ultimate 2.5-16. I notice you two gents live in places where it can get a bit warm so I'd hazard a guess that it's to do with heat/overheeating. Bigger rads, oil coolers, fans might solve the problem.

 

I have an '84 2.3 with 174k. I'm trying to sell it but not because of any of the problems you mentioned. This has been a great little car. The little part is my problem, I'm 6'5' 275lbs. So upgraded to a S320. Back on subject, I have had no problems with head or head gasket. It overheated several times before finding it had a broken themostat. it has had an small oil leak ever since I got it a couple years ago. Funny thing is it comes and goes. If it wasn't for a need to cut back on expences I wouldn't get rid of it.
FOR WHAT ITS WORTH Rod

 

Phrasing may play a role in your perception.....it's not normal for the head gasket to blow, but they will almost certainly leak at some point. It's most likely a function of using an iron block and aluminum head, and the high temps that can happen under the hood. Just keep an eye on you coolant (no oil!) and oil level, keep engine temps moderate, and you should be good.