zkeller

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!

e55amgrocket

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

zkeller

I was thinking about the ported heads. My plan was to just pull the bad side though.

The car has the EvoSport pulley. I hope they put the 40 degree mark on the pulley!

e55amgrocket

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.

zkeller

Thanks for the advice. I may consider buying those heads from you if they are still available.

e55amgrocket

Where are you located at?

zkeller

York, PA,(50 miles North of Baltimore).

e55amgrocket

I'm about 70 miles south of baltimore.hmm.....

Roverron

Sounds like a tag team effort might be in store.

zkeller

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!

loudandheard

Wow, I am very impressed that you are attempting this job. Good luck, hope someone posts an answer. Was it the head gasket or the heads that were the problem?

zkeller

Thanks. I need to get the head checked for cracks to make sure. I decided to do both sides even though the passenger side was not causing any problems.

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.

e55amgrocket

Just have the machine shop install new valve seals when they check the heads.

blackbenzz

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

jmb614

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

e55amgrocket

We dont seem to have any of those problems and we dont turn ridiculous RPM either. Steel sleves will help this alot

zkeller

good thought. they have to pull the valves anyways to check the heads. thanks for the input!

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.

zkeller

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.

OCKlasse

Great work my friend!

Roverron

@zkeller did you have to separate the intercooler from the S/C when you installed the 82mm TB?

zkeller

Yes, to change the snout.

Roverron

do you know that part number for the gasket between them? It looks like a rectangle

slownrusty

Was it the Head Gasket that failed?
How many miles are on the car?
Great work and congrats on tackling the bull by the horns.

zkeller

Had to have been the head gasket as the heads checked out good.

92k miles.

benz_addict

Great work man, did you take off the headers then removed the heads? I usually leave the headers on while taking the heads out. Saves tonnes of time