Right headgasket replacement

[BRABUS124]

Hi.
I have a 500E 1991 witch have been checked to seep in coolant in cyl 4 so needing a headgasket job.

The question is as I can't see it from mercedes own WIS program that only shows hos to do both at the, same time.

Can only the right side be done?
Do you have to remove the intire front cover that goes around the crank or just the top front cover?

Anytip pris and cons to do this job?
Ive done several M102+103+104 count less Tines so I know my way around these very well, but the M119+120 not.
And I know a timing chain job with guides might be easily included as well.

 

[gsxr]

You can only do 1 side, but I would strongly recommend doing both at the same time. If you have 1 leaking, the other one is almost certain to fail not long after you finish installing 1 new gasket. Just do both.

With both heads removed, also remove the front timing cover and replace all the chain rails.

 

[BRABUS124]

You can only do 1 side, but I would strongly recommend doing both at the same time. If you have 1 leaking, the other one is almost certain to fail not long after you finish installing 1 new gasket. Just do both.

With both heads removed, also remove the front timing cover and replace all the chain rails.

If that's the aproch. Doing all. It a completely difrent job to offer a customer my opinion. That would be an engine out job. way easier and most likely same work. Instead having the job down deep in the engine compartment it's a table job. But I would agree. If my own 500 i would defently do that. But I would have the option offered for such anyway. But doing just the 1 gasket would be a much less ekspensive jobs if you wqlked into a workshop i think wouldn't you agree.
Because the customer isn't there to put to much into it as otjer stuff needs restoration as well.

Anyway Is it a bad headgasket since you would do both and they will come at the same time. I don't asume there's a specific km or years making it leak? Could just be a failure on that side. The car sat for a 10yeqr period with the isue before and after nothing to be seen on left side? So aging dossent seams like the problem?

 

[gsxr]

I agree... pulling the engine out would make more sense. It will add some time / labor hours, but makes the rest of the work easier, plus you can do some additional items like replace the rear crank seal+carrier, and reseal the transmission as well.

A workshop would charge less to only do 1 head gasket, however, most likely the workshop would tell the customer the same thing I did. It's false economy. You would need to repeat the entire job to replace the other head gasket 10kkm later, or whenever it finally failed.

Head gaskets on M119's tend to last a VERY long time. Often the life of the chassis or engine, 30+ years, assuming the antifreeze / coolant was tested & replaced as needed. Storing the car for 10+ years also should not be a problem, again assuming the antifreeze is tested for pH levels periodically while in storage (and, that correct MB-spec antifreeze is used).

I currently own multiple M119's with 200-250kmi (320-400kkm) still on the original head gaskets.