Hi All,
I know there are many posts about the 0331 head issues. I'm not losing noticeable amounts of coolant, but I'm seeing a upward trend in the amount of potassium in my oil. I looked down the oil filter cap and see the tell tale crack. The upward trend started about 2 years ago when my thermostat failed. The engine runs fine and does not smoke.
I've pulled heads on Mercedes diesels before, but I haven't worked on this motor other than routine maintenance because its been so reliable, so I have some "newbie" questions.
1. I don't want to spend money on an engine on its way out, so I did a compression test. I'm not sure how to count 3 revolutions from the drivers seat? I listened to the starter and let it engage for 8 cycles. Results were 120,110,110,112,112,120 @ 6,500 ft. Adjusted for elevation 145,133,133,136,136,145. These seem like pretty good numbers for a bottom end with 314,000 miles.
2. Spark plug #1 had carbon on it, unlike any of the others which all looked the same. Any ideas why? #1 injector was replaced about 160-200K miles ago because of a misfire, prior to realizing it was a valve seat issue affecting multiple cylinders. Anything I can do or check for the carbon?
2. I removed the valve cover to look inside. I was able to hand turn all the push rods except for 2. Is this related to position of the cam and valves or should they all turn freely no matter what the engine position? Do I have a problem? Should I change the lifters? I was surprised that the valve cover gasket, which has 160,000 miles still does not leak.
3. Is there any advantage to using the dealer upper gasket set compared to the Fel Pro gasket set?
4. Where is the best place to buy exhaust manifold bolts and studs?
5. Are pipe sealant, Copper RTV, or Loctite 592 all appropriate for the #11 head bolt?
6. Is it recommended to put anything on the intake/exhaust gasket or install it dry?
7. Why does the gasket set include a throttle body gasket? Is that in case you want to clean the throttle body and intake manifold while its off?
8. I ended up removing the upper radiator hose to get to the valve cover off and then had to put it on at an angle to get around the rear wiring harness etc. Will it be similar with the head?
Thanks!
I know there are many posts about the 0331 head issues. I'm not losing noticeable amounts of coolant, but I'm seeing a upward trend in the amount of potassium in my oil. I looked down the oil filter cap and see the tell tale crack. The upward trend started about 2 years ago when my thermostat failed. The engine runs fine and does not smoke.
I've pulled heads on Mercedes diesels before, but I haven't worked on this motor other than routine maintenance because its been so reliable, so I have some "newbie" questions.
1. I don't want to spend money on an engine on its way out, so I did a compression test. I'm not sure how to count 3 revolutions from the drivers seat? I listened to the starter and let it engage for 8 cycles. Results were 120,110,110,112,112,120 @ 6,500 ft. Adjusted for elevation 145,133,133,136,136,145. These seem like pretty good numbers for a bottom end with 314,000 miles.
2. Spark plug #1 had carbon on it, unlike any of the others which all looked the same. Any ideas why? #1 injector was replaced about 160-200K miles ago because of a misfire, prior to realizing it was a valve seat issue affecting multiple cylinders. Anything I can do or check for the carbon?
2. I removed the valve cover to look inside. I was able to hand turn all the push rods except for 2. Is this related to position of the cam and valves or should they all turn freely no matter what the engine position? Do I have a problem? Should I change the lifters? I was surprised that the valve cover gasket, which has 160,000 miles still does not leak.
3. Is there any advantage to using the dealer upper gasket set compared to the Fel Pro gasket set?
4. Where is the best place to buy exhaust manifold bolts and studs?
5. Are pipe sealant, Copper RTV, or Loctite 592 all appropriate for the #11 head bolt?
6. Is it recommended to put anything on the intake/exhaust gasket or install it dry?
7. Why does the gasket set include a throttle body gasket? Is that in case you want to clean the throttle body and intake manifold while its off?
8. I ended up removing the upper radiator hose to get to the valve cover off and then had to put it on at an angle to get around the rear wiring harness etc. Will it be similar with the head?
Thanks!