I need a real Mercedes expert or someone who had similar problem to give me advice on this one.
I bought flooded C230, 2006 V6 that needed new engine. Used engine came from junkyard with only 9000 miles on it but the alternator mount was broken. Front lid and oil pan are replaced. While doing that, mechanic figured out that it was water in chambers and he replaced head gasket on the right head. When he put engine back and connected all wires misfire on 2nd cylinder code came on. Engine was running but it was shaking. He checked and replaced spark plug, valve lifters, valves, and injector. Since compression was only 70 pounds he said that the problem must be inside the cylinder. He replaced piston, piston rings and connecting rod. After putting it back together check CEL came back on with same message: misfire on 2nd cylinder. He now stated that the block must be cracked and that the engine is losing compression into oil. I took car away from him and brought it to different mechanic who is still working on it and whom I am trying to help with your opinions.
The second mechanic said that he already noticed few unusual things:
Engine is shaky but if he continues unplugging cylinders it still works the same way, nothing changes -is this normal?
He said that he measured 225 pounds compression on the first and third cylinder and 150 on the second one using brand new manual gauge - is this normal? I never heard of 225 pounds of compression on this type of car.
He thinks that this might be a timing chain issue even-though the first mechanic is denying that he did anything wrong. He also states that if it was the timing issue that all cylinders would misfire, not only the 2nd one. How about this?
If the block was cracked would it have any other signs such as mixing the fluids, leaks etc?
Is timing regulated by engine computer? Can it be that the original computer had some water damage and it is causing this but only on one cylinder?
I am really desperate at this point and dont know what to do. Even if I replace entire engine and put this computer back in, the success is not guaranteed. Of course, when I asked dealer they told me that they would replace engine at this point. It is easy for them when they have cars covered by warranty. I wonder what they would do in my situation. This forum is my last chance and any advice or idea is appreciated.
Thanks
You can have a cracked block that's losing compression and not having fluid contamination, depends where it cracked. Also, if he changed the head gasket, it could be that the heads or block is warped from overheating (may have happened when car was in accident that led engine to the salvage yard, car crash smashes radiator but engine keeps running until it overheats, first thing to go is head gasket, why, because the head warps under the high heat. So the questions is did he check check the block for flatness before putting it back together. If he's getting low compression in one cylinder it's probably that. It's not likely that the chain skipped a link because that would cause low compression on all cylinders on that bank.
What I want to know is if you get an engine from a salvage yard and it's defective, they usually take it back, no questions asked and give you another one or refund.
Update your profile with where you are at and your car so maybe someone locallly can help.
I bought engine from Luxury Auto Parts 12459 Jackson Trace Lincoln, AL. 35096 using Amex card. Junkyard gave me 6 months warranty but now they are saying that since I started repairing the engine that they will not honor the warranty. I recommend all members to avoid this place at any cost!!!!!! This is just another part of this horor story. I am looking for solution through Amex and if they don't help i will hire an attorney to file a law suite.
So solution in this case it to dismantle the engine and take block to be checked/repaired?
Thanks: Dan
Last edited by mostar1 : 07-17-2008 at 06:55 PM.
Reason: typo
If the block is warped it may be able to be decked but who knows if they make a thicker head gaskets for the engine, otherwise compression will be too high, or worse, piston may hit valves. If the block is cracked you are outa luck, I doubt you can sucessfully weld a cast aluminum block. If you can get it magnafluxed or use crack detection dye (goodson makes a kit) and prove to them that the block was damaged I don't see how you can lose in a credit card arbitration or small claims court. Good Luck.
sorry to hear about the trouble, but just wondering how much have you spent on the car soo far and what influenced you to pick up a salvaged/flooded car.
the best way to resolve your issue is to re-check the engine crankshaft and camshaft timing. there is a special tool to check and align this, if your previous mechanic didn't use this you might have a problem rough engine running. and to answer your question: yes the ignition timing is controlled by the ecu control unit, but the timing of the crank and cam are still mechanical set.
my first question is if you purcased a used engine from a junkyard and your mechanic said there was evidence of water in the motor, why didnt you stop and call the junkyard back. at this point they no longer assume any responsibility for that motor since you have torn it apart and tried fixing any problem it may have. that was your first mistake. now your second mistake is letting some mechanic replace all of those parts. your car has a 272 engine which if not assembled correctly can have some serious side effects. we have learned this first hand at the dealer and MB has told us this.
anyway so far you are only giving some readings regarding the compression test. find out what all 6 cyclinders are reading then post them. now there is more then just a compression test. has anyone done a cylinder leakage test. you could have fuked up valve seats and no matter what part you replace the misfire will still be there due to a loss of compression from valves that dont seat correctly.
now you asked above about timing. ignition timing is controlled by the engine control unit but valve timing is controlled by the chain. of corce having the engine correctly timed is a factor.
personally i too am curious how much you have spent som far on this. if i were you i would get rid of your car and the motor.
Wow like glower said you have the 272 engine. If its not perfect on everything its not going to run right. At this point I would honestly nix the idea of fixing a flood car because you are always going to have problems with it. No-matter how good the tech is that works on it, it will never be the same again.
Mechanic used 2 different heads. He alo tested valves by pouring gas on top of them. Second head was checked in the shop and everything seemed OK.
How do you do leakage test? Where are the valve seats?
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