C230 Sport Coup

How much have you invested so far Hogger?
Oooo I love seeing piles of nice new parts.
STP oil filter? Huh?

Hogger

I've spent about $1700. A few thing I paid a little more than I should have, but it was early in the process, and I hadn't done a lot of research then. A couple other thing were parts I broke taking it apart. I could probably be done for $1500.
No, the STP filter is not going in the car. Decided against that. Another example of doing research first.

Hogger

I've got things going smooth until now.
I've installed the chain, but after looking closely at the marks on the cam sprockets in the first picture, the intake cam is just barely ahead of the exhaust.
I've got the #1 piston at TDC, and the exhaust cam is lined up with it's marks.
Not sure if this is OK or not. It looks like if I was to move the intake cam back one tooth, it would be too far. About the same amount back, as it is ahead now. Not sure how to fix this.
EDIT: It is off by one tooth. I'll have to for sure fix it.
Also, in the second picture, there is a bolt that I forgot to install(red arrow). It bolts through the lower cam bearing housing into the head. What is this for? And do I need it? Of course this was after I got the housing gasketed, torqued, and timing chain installed.
Am I going to have to pull everything apart, put the bolt in, then somehow reset the intake cam? I might even need a new chain to re-install things properly.

Hogger

HAHA!! I fixed it. ALL of it....

I was pissed, my wife was pissed(at me). Thought I took a few steps backwards with this one.
Got the bolt in, and the cams lined up, and everything back together as it sits in my previous post.
Real soon!!!

ncmudbug

Excellent!!! Congratulations! Don't forget to post a video of it when you first crank her up!

C230 Sport Coup

Why was your wife pissed at you? Were you getting cranky from working on the car?
Or is the car taking too much attention away from her? (my X)

So wait, I'd have to scroll back a page, but you bought a new head with the valves and everything? And for certain it's the updated one? And you got all that for like 1700 including the gaskets, stetchy bolts and everything?
AND The timing chain? That's damn skippy!
And you could've got it all for 1500? Huh? Wow, how much was the head?
Where did you get it? Is it rebuilt?

Can't wait to hear it run, and get a little more in depth on how you resolved these various issues, and
yes, post a video of it 1st starting up.
I did my 1st head gasket, all alone when I was 19 on a Toyota 20R SOHC 4 cylinder from a pickup.
Stupid me, it was probably under warranty, and I didn't even check.

The biggest thing I'd done prior to that was take the head off a little 2 stroke.
I picked the mechanics heads at the dealer, put every bolt in it's own envelope practically,
numbered the locations, read the manual, no you tube, no mechanic friends to fall back on.
Had the head checked out, everything, and I was totally shocked when it actually ran.

It sputtered a little at 1st and came to life and I drove it well over 100K miles after that,
until the radiator blew, and yes, a guy STOLE the thing and blew up the motor, since i hadn't replaced the radiator yet, and it was clogged with alumiseal. True story. He made it all the way to Humbolt from San Jose area.

I think I had to rent a torque wrench. I barely owned any tools, but I was moving out
of my parents house, and no money to hire someone, so well, it had to get done.

Since then, I did the head on a FIAT SOHC 1500cc. Still haven't done a DOHC.
Well, can't wait to see yours fire up! After a major repair like that, it feels like a miracle
if it actually runs the 1st time, and you didn't f anything up.

Hogger

She was mad because I screwed up and didn't pay attention to a bolt. And because I thought I might need another chain to fix everything. She had a bit of a right, but of course that made me mad. Then it was a downward spiral, so I figured it would be best to just go back to the garage.

So ya, the head is a reman for $750 from Metric Motors in Cali. somewhere. Can't remember the name of the town. It had updated valves, guides and springs. Valves lapped and everything. $1500 should easily get everything needed if you shop around. I bought a few extra things like a new thermostat just because I was already in there. Plus the parts I paid too much for like the chain and tensioner.
I was hoping to have it running by now, but the place I got my parts from sent the wrong coolant pipe. So I'm hoping to get the right one locally today. Plus my schedule has me out of town this week, only to work on it a little bit in the evenings. Cross my fingers that I'll be able to have a video up this weekend.

Boom vang

The question is how did you attach the chain without the infamous MB tool 602 589 00 39 00 chain riveting tool?

Looks like a very indepth and long job, how many hours would you estimate that it took?

Glyn M Ruck

Great progress - pleased you got that bolt in.

Next time use BFH on wifey. jk!

It's her car you are breaking your back over. Ah! the fairer sex - don't we just love em!

Hogger

Moving along, but a little slower than I wanted. Unfortunately, I won't be able to get it done this weekend because I need to find another part.
I got my new upper coolant pipe, but there is a little nipple that plugs into it, from a tube that runs back to the reservoir.
The new pipe didn't come with it, and the old one is ruined. I'm guessing the PO didn't use the right coolant, because the end of the nipple that goes in the tube was broken and brittle.
I can't find a part number for it, so I'm going to have to wait until Monday when I can go into the dealer and figure it out.

vdemon311

when there is a will... there is a way. Great determination. Keep going and finish it up. Hope you have a problem free future with this one.

Glyn M Ruck

Argh! - If I had a dollar for every one of those that has broken I would be a wealthy man.

ncmudbug

Is that the breather pipe socket (003-997-06-89)?

Hogger

I figured out where that little nipple thing comes from. It's part of the $92 hose that runs to the reservoir... What a rip off!!! So I went and found a fitting and O-rings that fixed it, and fit properly for about $5.
Found a good stopping point. Figure I should see the family this weekend at some point.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll be fitting the air box, and wiring harness. Then flush, and fill the coolant. Then give her a start.

ambit

Brings a tear to me eye to see another M271 rebuilt

Boom vang

I made a post about this failure prone part a year ago and urged everyone with a M271 engine to replace it ASAP because they become very brittle and breaks. it has nothing to do with using the wrong coolant, the plastic (german plastic as I call it) does not like the heat over time and becomes brittle or breaks apart, as this is located just above the exhaust manifold. This type of plastic is also the cover of our engines and breaks apart when trying to remove the cover

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ance-item.html

Also the temp sensor (one of a couple) at the end of the pipe is failure prone and gives error messages in very cold weather, worth replacing ~$20

Hogger

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!


Finally got it back together. And believe it or not... No leftover parts!
There is a funny little hick-up at about 1:09, but I started it again after fixing the dripping coolant pipe, and it went away.

It runs really smooth, temperature is consistent in the normal range, and there aren't any codes popping up.

I'm so pumped. I was really scared to start it.
Just want to say a big thanks! again for everyones help on this. I really appreciate it. So happy to have my baby back. I'll keep you guys updated in a few days on how she's holding up.

Is there a special break-in period/procedure?

Jordan.

samaritrey

Wow good work

I like how you had the whole family out to witness this glad you are the hero and not the bad guy lol

ncmudbug

Congratulations, Jordan!!! A lot of people now see you as their hero!

I doubt there is a beak-in procedure since you just changed the head - the bottom end is well seasoned - but maybe somebody who knows more can correct me if I'm wrong.

Keep us informed! Happy Easter!

C230 Sport Coup

The Bubba Watson of Mercedes Repair FTW!!!!

LILBENZ230

Glad to see it up and running again. It should be good to go for a long time now.

RedStripe

Congrats Hogger
That was a super cute video btw, seeing your little family involved and excited right along with you! Your smile was also priceless!
Obviously you figured it out quickly, but as soon as you said "why is it smoking?" I answered to the screen.. "because of fluids that dripped down onto the exhaust, dont worry!"

Also, nice to see you had success working with Metric Motors!
Wishing you trouble free, and many many many miles of successful operation of your m271, you deserve to take the passenger seat for awhile

Glyn M Ruck

Great stuff Jordan. No break in required - all that will settle is valves & you have zero lash hydraulic adjusters to take that up. Run her for a few days & then check for any leaks or minor loose items. You obviously got that valve timing spot on. Excellent

Hogger

Thanks everyone.
Just got back from work. I put about 160 miles on it today, without any issues.

johnand

Congrats Jordan! Bet it felt damn good to drive it