400E Neglected M119

[Juan Jose Velez]

Hi ,

Long time trying to start this M119 engine.

Afterwards troubleshooting all the ignition usual suspects, it was time to check Camshaft conditions and their timing.

Definitely by looking at the pictures attached, this engine was a neglected one.

Checking the Camshaft area, it looks dry, no oil around.

All the Plastic Chain guides are broken.

After turning Crankshaft until 45° , the right Camshafts sprockets are out of time by one position.

At the left side , the upper camshaft sprocket is out of time by one position, the Lower one is out by two positions.

Another odd situation , it was very hard to manually turn the Crankshaft with sparkplugs removed.

Please share your opinion ,

Do it is worthy continue to work this engine ?

 

[ArauzMotoring]

Wow that’s a lot of sludge.. Where did you get this engine from?

 

[Juan Jose Velez]

Wow that’s a lot of sludge.. Where did you get this engine from?

A $500 bargain trap , but it really have an extremely good interior leather upholstery and exterior body and paint.

If the engine camshafts and stretched timing chain is rectifiable it would be a good Sundays Ride.

 

[Juan Jose Velez]

Hi , if a Camshaft removal and Timing Chain service thread exists , please attach it.

 

[TerryA]

You can clean the sludge you see but the interior of the motor will be more difficult unless it’s disassembled. Usually the upper chain rails are the ones that break (replacing the uppers might fix the timing) but with that much sludge you may have to tear off the front timing cover and replace other hidden chain rails. You can run motor cleaners thru it but I would be worried about it burning a lot of oil.

For more info look to Gerry’s thread “Top End Rebuild” It covers a lot of helpful info.

If I were you I would look for another M119 motor in better condition it might be a less expensive option.

BTW, What model/year Mercedes did this engine come out of?

 

[Juan Jose Velez]

You can clean the sludge you see but the interior of the motor will be more difficult unless it’s disassembled. Usually the upper chain rails are the ones that break (replacing the uppers might fix the timing) but with that much sludge you may have to tear off the front timing cover and replace other hidden chain rails. You can run motor cleaners thru it but I would be worried about it burning a lot of oil.

For more info look to Gerry’s thread “Top End Rebuild” It covers a lot of helpful info.

If I were you I would look for another M119 motor in better condition it might be a less expensive option.

BTW, What model/year Mercedes did this engine come out of?

Hi Terry ,

It come out from a 400SE 1992. I'm new to M119 engine.

I own a W220 S430 and a rusty R107 380SL 1983.

I'll take seriously your recommendation about look for a good engine.

Thanks.

JJVV

 

[gsxr]

The M119 can take a lot of abuse. The sludge means it wasn't well maintained, but it could still be a solid engine... however you can't tell until the cams are timed properly and it's running well enough to get a hot compression test.

That said, it's odd that the engine is difficult to rotate with the spark plugs removed.

 

[Juan Jose Velez]

That said, it's odd that the engine is difficult to rotate with the spark plugs removed.

Actually, I use a short wrench handle with the Radiator Fan bothering in the middle. It was very hard to turn it. I know a 36" handle is the right tool and Fan removed. Make a fan removal tool is the next project.

After remove the CamShafts and clean all the Sludge , do the oil pan can be easily removed to clean the sludge falling into it?

Can do that on my 944 Porsches.