New guy checking in.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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New guy checking in.
Hello all,
I'm the happy new owner of an '89 300E with 137,000 miles(pics to come soon) with a few questions. I went around trying to find a repair manual and there doesn't seem to be one made for the 89 300E, 190's yes but no 300. I was a little surprised that hanes or chilton manuals weren't available. So it was off the the local dealership to see what was available there. EEEEK!!!! $180 for the 2 cd manual. So I went to Amazon and purchased "Mercedes-Benz E-Class Owner's Bible: 1986-1995" and "Mercedes-Benz Repair & Tune-Up Guide" are there any other alternatives than getting the $180 one from the dealer? (they had a Maybach on the showroom floor, nice)
Second, Upon start there is a puff of blue smoke (oil) and I need to add a quart of oil every 500 miles or so. Worst case head rebuild, best case vavle seals (?) A guy at work told me that replacing th vavle seals is a relativly simple job. Is this true. Also there seems to be an oil leak from the valve cover gasket and from the front of the engine are these comon?
Other than the oil consuption the car seems to be running find I can't beleive how quiet it is (I'm also a VW Rabbit owner). This thing feels very planted at 100.
Thanks.
I'm the happy new owner of an '89 300E with 137,000 miles(pics to come soon) with a few questions. I went around trying to find a repair manual and there doesn't seem to be one made for the 89 300E, 190's yes but no 300. I was a little surprised that hanes or chilton manuals weren't available. So it was off the the local dealership to see what was available there. EEEEK!!!! $180 for the 2 cd manual. So I went to Amazon and purchased "Mercedes-Benz E-Class Owner's Bible: 1986-1995" and "Mercedes-Benz Repair & Tune-Up Guide" are there any other alternatives than getting the $180 one from the dealer? (they had a Maybach on the showroom floor, nice)
Second, Upon start there is a puff of blue smoke (oil) and I need to add a quart of oil every 500 miles or so. Worst case head rebuild, best case vavle seals (?) A guy at work told me that replacing th vavle seals is a relativly simple job. Is this true. Also there seems to be an oil leak from the valve cover gasket and from the front of the engine are these comon?
Other than the oil consuption the car seems to be running find I can't beleive how quiet it is (I'm also a VW Rabbit owner). This thing feels very planted at 100.
Thanks.
Last edited by Ironzey; Nov 23, 2003 at 07:51 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 595
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From: Middlefield, CT
1994 E320
Congrats on your new MB! 
The factory service CDs can be found elsewhere for less. The stealership charges higher markups than online vendors.
Oil consumption is common for the M103 engine (used in most W124s till the early '90s). However, your case sounds worse than most I've seen. Oil loss typically happens through the valve stem seals (as you guessed), timing case covers, valve cover gasket, and the head gasket. To replace the valve stem seals you need a spring compressor bridge to compress the valve springs and a drift to install the new seals. If you want to tackle this job yourself I can send you the instructions from the service manual.
Enjoy your new ride!
The factory service CDs can be found elsewhere for less. The stealership charges higher markups than online vendors.
Oil consumption is common for the M103 engine (used in most W124s till the early '90s). However, your case sounds worse than most I've seen. Oil loss typically happens through the valve stem seals (as you guessed), timing case covers, valve cover gasket, and the head gasket. To replace the valve stem seals you need a spring compressor bridge to compress the valve springs and a drift to install the new seals. If you want to tackle this job yourself I can send you the instructions from the service manual.
Enjoy your new ride!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: west virginia
what up new guy?
oil consumption is MOST LIKELY valve guide oil stem seals.
i was gulping about as much oil as you. mine changed at 100k-i couldn't stand it.
should be around 300.00 from an independent. buy the stem seals yourself, soak them in oil a few days before you have it done.
front seal is probably leaking, common.
also your rear main seal is a common place for leaks. VERY EXPENSIVE.
do a 'search' here and at mercedes shop on '300e problems', 'stem seals', 'head gasket', LOTS of good useful info.
imo you will want to look into getting euro lights.
welcome
peter
oil consumption is MOST LIKELY valve guide oil stem seals.
i was gulping about as much oil as you. mine changed at 100k-i couldn't stand it.
should be around 300.00 from an independent. buy the stem seals yourself, soak them in oil a few days before you have it done.
front seal is probably leaking, common.
also your rear main seal is a common place for leaks. VERY EXPENSIVE.
do a 'search' here and at mercedes shop on '300e problems', 'stem seals', 'head gasket', LOTS of good useful info.
imo you will want to look into getting euro lights.
welcome
peter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
Ironzey,
There IS a Haynes w124 series manual (#3523). I purchased it, a Technibooks, CD dupes, and factory books through eBay. You may have to be patient and check frequently or set up a search notification. There are also a few good DIY instructions you can purchase from Mercedessource.com.
Felix
There IS a Haynes w124 series manual (#3523). I purchased it, a Technibooks, CD dupes, and factory books through eBay. You may have to be patient and check frequently or set up a search notification. There are also a few good DIY instructions you can purchase from Mercedessource.com.
Felix
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Australia
300TE
Irozey I had the exact same problem with my 300te in oil comsumption. Evem after I did the stem seals it made no difference to the oil consumption. It wasn't until I pulled the head off that we found it was the a broken head gasket that was the main reason for the loss of oil and the valve guides were also worn. Most MB workshops won't recomend or guarantee the work if they just replace valve stem seals because they think its only a temporary fix. Anyway it cost me $1700 Aus to do the head inc. valve guides.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
If the valve strem seals a re gone you'll also see fouled spark plugs, and hesitiating starts, and fluctuating idle. If you dint have this, the seals wont make thechange in oil consumption.
