84 300 Td

[Gunor]

The old classic story of my parent’s 1984 W123 turbo

The car probably has under 100K miles, been garaged (and covered), been driven by my mother... all the services done....been stored in the barn for 5 years...

But, one cylinder is toast. Oil consumption....mechanic said it was bad. The motor runs - just extreme oil consumption (with smoke).

So the parents will give me the car. So I am in the process of finding a shop to rebuild or replace the motor.

I can find on the net used motors (not many) for around $1200.
Rebuilt Long blocks for $5200.

And I would like a long lasting engine/motor - so I kind of shy away from the used motor.

A local shop (Portland, OR) can rebuild the existing engine and replace the water pump and few other seals (transmission) for $6500 and with an 18,000 Mile guarantee. I still will have to complete a set of specifications and services prior to committing to the deal.

The rebuilt long blocks I have looked at, have rebuilt heads, IP, etc...And I would expect that from this rebuild. (And as a note - I would have to factor in core and transportation/crate fees).

Is this a good deal - good ball park figure....Or...

Overall, it doesn't make $ sense, but it is a nice car, good mileage, classic etc...

I am mechanically inclined, so I would be doing the other services (brake issues, vacuum, etc....)

Geoff in Afghanistan

[Maxbumpo]

Geoff,

What does a compression test show?

Sounds to me like one of the valve stem seals has failed for that particular cylinder - would be worth having a QUALIFIED MB mechanic take a close look there. Could be as simple as installing new valve stem seals.

Next, I'd recommend pulling the head to see if you have a failed headgasket.

After that, I believe that removing the oil pan will give access to rod cap bolts for #1 piston - you can just pull that piston to check condition of the rings (could be a broken oil ring). If that is the case, put new rings on that piston and button the motor back up and call it done.

Incidentally, very very few shops can perform a rebuild that will come anywhere close to the life of an original engine. You'd be way ahead to get a decent used motor with documented mileage (and even better - documented maintenance) and install that. I'd take that route and pay up to 50% of cost of a rebuilt short block, or I'd pay the big bucks for an MB rebuild, before I'd consider a motor rebuilt by an independent garage.