Discussion
Just managed to bag a 1994 E220 to use as a daily driver, however it does have some issues that need rectifying. Obviously there's the inevitable rust on the front wings, the alloy wheels have corroded need refinishing, but the big problem is the engine, which is in the early stages of head-gasket failure.
I'm tempted to just rip the whole lump out and throw another 220 engine in - a few garages I've rung want anywhere between £750 and £1500 to replace the head gasket, which I think is a bit steep.
Question is, where do I find a good 220 engine? Has anyone here swapped the engines before and are there any pitfalls to be wary of?
Thanks
I'm tempted to just rip the whole lump out and throw another 220 engine in - a few garages I've rung want anywhere between £750 and £1500 to replace the head gasket, which I think is a bit steep.
Question is, where do I find a good 220 engine? Has anyone here swapped the engines before and are there any pitfalls to be wary of?
Thanks
Welcome to the club.
My E220 (S124) needed its head gasket about a year after I bought it - with mileage probably around 110k. The price was about £900 a couple of years ago. Yes - not cheap. That's about a dozen hours labour - parts, machining the head if required, plus the VAT or course. That was about 15k miles ago now.
The question is, how many miles will the new engine have on it ? What happens if that goes after a few thousand miles when you have paid a few hundred for it, got it and had it fitted. At least if someone reliable does the head on an otherwise OK engine you know what you are getting. I suppose what I'm saying is pay more now, or take a risk and hope things work out in the long run. I'm not mechanical so rely on my specialist for nearly everything. I did surprise myself by replacing the rear tailgate struts.
My one wing that was starting to suffer was replaced when the car was 'written off'. I didn't shut the bonnet properly and it blew open. The insurance company gave me the car and £800 and I just bought a new wing for £200 from the dealer, and used bonnet at about £100 (£££'s new). The work was done by the insurers approved repairer - although paint quality is not as good as original.
PS - if you do go down the engine route - I'm looking for cruise control link rods. An air-con compressor would be nice as well.
My E220 (S124) needed its head gasket about a year after I bought it - with mileage probably around 110k. The price was about £900 a couple of years ago. Yes - not cheap. That's about a dozen hours labour - parts, machining the head if required, plus the VAT or course. That was about 15k miles ago now.
The question is, how many miles will the new engine have on it ? What happens if that goes after a few thousand miles when you have paid a few hundred for it, got it and had it fitted. At least if someone reliable does the head on an otherwise OK engine you know what you are getting. I suppose what I'm saying is pay more now, or take a risk and hope things work out in the long run. I'm not mechanical so rely on my specialist for nearly everything. I did surprise myself by replacing the rear tailgate struts.
My one wing that was starting to suffer was replaced when the car was 'written off'. I didn't shut the bonnet properly and it blew open. The insurance company gave me the car and £800 and I just bought a new wing for £200 from the dealer, and used bonnet at about £100 (£££'s new). The work was done by the insurers approved repairer - although paint quality is not as good as original.
PS - if you do go down the engine route - I'm looking for cruise control link rods. An air-con compressor would be nice as well.
eBay has a couple of engines listed - up to £500. Half way towards the head gasket. A spares or repair car may be cheaper.
There are probably a few compatability issues. For example - I know from my cruise control issues - there are different throttle bodies etc etc. However, as stated before - I am not in any way technical.
There are probably a few compatability issues. For example - I know from my cruise control issues - there are different throttle bodies etc etc. However, as stated before - I am not in any way technical.
Thanks for the responses, I think a second hand engine is still the better bet - it would appear the M111-960 engines do suffer with head gaskets, and mine is just about to hit 220000 miles so it's doing well!
What I will do though is keep the original engine and fit a new gasket in my spare time - unfortunately I haven't the time to do this quickly enough to keep the car on the road.
As for the front wings, I'll see what comes up. The early W124's do seem to resist rot much better than the later ones unfortunately.
What I will do though is keep the original engine and fit a new gasket in my spare time - unfortunately I haven't the time to do this quickly enough to keep the car on the road.
As for the front wings, I'll see what comes up. The early W124's do seem to resist rot much better than the later ones unfortunately.
By the time you have taken into consideration, finding an engine with a guarantee, paid for shipping the engine to you or your workshop, paid for fitting or time taken in fitting it yourself, serviced said engine before firing up. £650 - 750 for a head gasket is probably the better option. At least you have the knowledge that it is the original engine (which you know) and that it will be good for another 100k plus.
Being entirely honest, it's a £200 motor. Finding an engine with a warranty would be pointless.
In the end, I've decided to scrap the car. The head gasket has failed, the windscreen leaks, the sunroof leaks, the front end needs replacing, it needs paint and yesterday it popped a rear shock mount. I've found a 230TE so it makes more sense just to scrap the E220.
In the end, I've decided to scrap the car. The head gasket has failed, the windscreen leaks, the sunroof leaks, the front end needs replacing, it needs paint and yesterday it popped a rear shock mount. I've found a 230TE so it makes more sense just to scrap the E220.
GTO Scott said:
Being entirely honest, it's a £200 motor. Finding an engine with a warranty would be pointless.
In the end, I've decided to scrap the car. The head gasket has failed, the windscreen leaks, the sunroof leaks, the front end needs replacing, it needs paint and yesterday it popped a rear shock mount. I've found a 230TE so it makes more sense just to scrap the E220.
Don't just scrap it,old Mercs have a fair bit of value as a aparts source so you might get some of your money back if you want.In the end, I've decided to scrap the car. The head gasket has failed, the windscreen leaks, the sunroof leaks, the front end needs replacing, it needs paint and yesterday it popped a rear shock mount. I've found a 230TE so it makes more sense just to scrap the E220.
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