How often do rocker arms & valve springs wear out?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: Orange County, CA
380 SEL 1982
How often do rocker arms & valve springs wear out?
While I am in there for stem seals, how do I see if rocker arms and or valve springs are worn out? Do they commonly go on these cars?
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
96 S600 Euro, 91 560 SEC, 88 300TE, 87 560SEL, 86 560SL, 80 280SE, 64 Austin Healey 3000MIII
Well, that depends on a Lot of factors... mileage, oil change frequency, what kind of condition did the car work in etc, etc..
More often then not I don't see valve spring needing replacement. Rockers are fairly common..although if you have eaten a rocker or two you are going to need a cam as well.
How many miles on your car? VSS's are usually a band aid over the underlying problem of bad valve guides.
Jonathan
More often then not I don't see valve spring needing replacement. Rockers are fairly common..although if you have eaten a rocker or two you are going to need a cam as well.
How many miles on your car? VSS's are usually a band aid over the underlying problem of bad valve guides.
Jonathan
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: Orange County, CA
380 SEL 1982
only 70k
only 70k on the car. I put 7K on in the last year, before that there was only 500 miles or so a year for the previous 13 years. My grandfather drove the car regularly from 1983 when he bought it second hand to 1992 when he died. Maintenence was always done, though the coil wire might not have been removed to pressurize the oil lines at startup.
I have heard that VSS can be a bandaid for bad guides, but I have also heard that VSS can get brittle and work their way loose during extended storage.
I heard a ticking noise coming from under one of the valve covers (I used a stethoscope), had some smoke at startups, then smoke all the time. I don't drive the car now since I don't want to make things worse. Timing chain was updated to double row not too long ago.
I have heard that VSS can be a bandaid for bad guides, but I have also heard that VSS can get brittle and work their way loose during extended storage.
I heard a ticking noise coming from under one of the valve covers (I used a stethoscope), had some smoke at startups, then smoke all the time. I don't drive the car now since I don't want to make things worse. Timing chain was updated to double row not too long ago.
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
96 S600 Euro, 91 560 SEC, 88 300TE, 87 560SEL, 86 560SL, 80 280SE, 64 Austin Healey 3000MIII
@ that low a mileage everything should be in tip top shape.
Yes, the seals can get brittle, especially w/ lack of use so I would be comfortable installing new ones given the circumstances.
Once you get your VSS installed you should be good to go. I'd run the car on synthetic if the rest of the engine has no leaks.
Happy motoring!
Jonathan
Yes, the seals can get brittle, especially w/ lack of use so I would be comfortable installing new ones given the circumstances.
Once you get your VSS installed you should be good to go. I'd run the car on synthetic if the rest of the engine has no leaks.
Happy motoring!
Jonathan
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: Orange County, CA
380 SEL 1982
thanks for the good words
Thanks..
could the ticking that preceded the smoking be a VSS which worked its way loose?
I have been using Amsoil Euro Formula 5W-40 since about 62K and for the last two years. (I have been sending it to my grandma to put in before I got the car.)
Before that it had Pennzoil Dino 10W-40 since my grandfather bought it with about 8-10K, before that who knows.
Any other $5-$50 plasticky bits that I should replace while in there?
could the ticking that preceded the smoking be a VSS which worked its way loose?
I have been using Amsoil Euro Formula 5W-40 since about 62K and for the last two years. (I have been sending it to my grandma to put in before I got the car.)
Before that it had Pennzoil Dino 10W-40 since my grandfather bought it with about 8-10K, before that who knows.
Any other $5-$50 plasticky bits that I should replace while in there?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: Orange County, CA
380 SEL 1982
thanks for the good words
Thanks..
could the ticking that preceded the smoking be a VSS which worked its way loose?
I have been using Amsoil Euro Formula 5W-40 since about 62K and for the last two years. (I have been sending it to my grandma to put in before I got the car.)
Before that it had Pennzoil Dino 10W-40 since my grandfather bought it with about 8-10K, before that who knows.
Any other $5-$50 plasticky bits that I should replace while in there?
could the ticking that preceded the smoking be a VSS which worked its way loose?
I have been using Amsoil Euro Formula 5W-40 since about 62K and for the last two years. (I have been sending it to my grandma to put in before I got the car.)
Before that it had Pennzoil Dino 10W-40 since my grandfather bought it with about 8-10K, before that who knows.
Any other $5-$50 plasticky bits that I should replace while in there?
