Head gasket or cracked head?
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Joined: Jun 2010
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04 E55
Head gasket or cracked head?
Ever since we bought the car about 2 years ago it has been using coolant, having to refill approximately once every two months. Now it is every 2 weeks, and now cylinder 7 misfires bad enough in the morning that it shuts that cylinder down. I pulled #7 plugs this morning and had my wife crank the car over. Sure enough coolant is spraying out of the cylinder, enough that it fouls the plug thus causing the cylinder shutdown.
I am going to follow WIS and pull the head and take it to be magnafluxed to check for cracks, other wise it is the head gasket.
Anyone else tackle this themselves? I am a "hobbiest wrencher" and have completely rebuilt engines. After reading WIS, this one my take the cake!
I am going to follow WIS and pull the head and take it to be magnafluxed to check for cracks, other wise it is the head gasket.
Anyone else tackle this themselves? I am a "hobbiest wrencher" and have completely rebuilt engines. After reading WIS, this one my take the cake!
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From: Northern Va
Dirt Scooters
I had the same problem and it was the head gasket but always get the heads checked and gone over at the same time. We've done a couple head swaps with the ported heads and they are honestly pretty easy. Just make sure you buy the cam holders and follow the instructions. Maybe now's a good time to step up to some ported heads 
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04 E55
I had the same problem and it was the head gasket but always get the heads checked and gone over at the same time. We've done a couple head swaps with the ported heads and they are honestly pretty easy. Just make sure you buy the cam holders and follow the instructions. Maybe now's a good time to step up to some ported heads
The car has the EvoSport pulley. I hope they put the 40 degree mark on the pulley!
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From: Northern Va
Dirt Scooters
i would do both sides if i was going thru the hassle of taking it apart. If you rotate the motor and lock both cams down with the special tool you dont have to worry about the 40 degree mark. Just make sure to rotate the motor 2 times after you put it together and make sure the cam lock tools both go back in. Also make sure to zip tie the cam gears in 3-4 places before you take them off.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2010
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04 E55
Got the heads off this weekend. Worse part was getting to the exhaust manifold bolts. Shorty headers make it real tight to get to some of them.
Can anyone tell me if there is an over the counter valve spring compressor that will work? I want to change the valve stem seals while the heads are out. I bet the Benz tool is hella expensive!
Can anyone tell me if there is an over the counter valve spring compressor that will work? I want to change the valve stem seals while the heads are out. I bet the Benz tool is hella expensive!
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04 E55
Cylinder walls are in remarkable condition for 90 k miles. No ridgewear, score marks or scratches what so ever. Going to check them with a bore gauge and compare to WIS values.
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haters crazy
I'm a little late but usually with Shorty headers you can unbolt them from the exhaust and pull the manifold with the head. Hope your heads aren't cracked and good job pulling the heads. Its always nice to pull the motor apart and see the bottom end looks great 
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From: West
E55 AMG
Does anyone make something to place in the open deck that would ensure the cylinders don't move. Something similar to this: http://www.prostreetonline.com/x/rac...lock-guard.asp
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From: Northern Va
Dirt Scooters
Does anyone make something to place in the open deck that would ensure the cylinders don't move. Something similar to this: http://www.prostreetonline.com/x/rac...lock-guard.asp
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04 E55
Zero wear on the cam lobes and valvetrain assembly all of which is a testimate to running Mobil One all of the engine's life.
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04 E55
Got it all back together it is runs great. Thanks for the helpful hints. Installing the shortie headers on the heads before putting them back on the car saved a ton of time and grief.
Machine shop cleaned, tested and installed new valve seals for 165.00, not a bad deal.
I put some heat blanket material around the supercharger while I had it apart to put the 82mm throttle body kit on.
Machine shop cleaned, tested and installed new valve seals for 165.00, not a bad deal.
I put some heat blanket material around the supercharger while I had it apart to put the 82mm throttle body kit on.
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04 E55
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From: Toronto
V12TT
Got the heads off this weekend. Worse part was getting to the exhaust manifold bolts. Shorty headers make it real tight to get to some of them.
Can anyone tell me if there is an over the counter valve spring compressor that will work? I want to change the valve stem seals while the heads are out. I bet the Benz tool is hella expensive!
Can anyone tell me if there is an over the counter valve spring compressor that will work? I want to change the valve stem seals while the heads are out. I bet the Benz tool is hella expensive!
