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| How many mile before needing a head gasket?; What can I expect as a new owner ? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:17 am (449 Views) | |
| Norseman | Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:17 am Post #1 |
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Part of things
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As a new owner of a 1990 190E 2.6 I have been doing a fair amount of reading online about this model Mercedes. One topic of concern when buying or maintaining this model is that of a failed head gasket. My recent acquisition is a very low mileage (75000miles) and well maintained example that shows no sign of head gasket failure. I just changed the antifreeze with MB fluid and the oil and will continue to be very scrupulous about maintenance schedules as I am with all of my cars. How many miles do these vehicles normally travel before they exhibit head gasket failure assuming no overheating issue caused the failure? Will diligent maintenance with approved and quality fluids help to extend the time when gasket failure occurs? How many miles have forum members clocked on their 190E 2.6 engines without head gasket failure. Thanks for any and all responses. Edited by Norseman, Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:19 am.
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| Cockney21 | Tue Jun 20, 2017 6:06 am Post #2 |
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I suspect it is more down to luck than anything else, I suspect that there are a good number of cars that have never suffered a failure. The quality of the original part and how well it was fitted are both things you have no knowledge of. Same with past over heating and possible corrosion due to poor condition coolant, this you can limit while in your ownership by an easy coolant/ thermostat swap and making sure the fan is 100%. I would not worry too much about it, as with any old car there is always a list of possible things to go wrong, just drive and enjoy. |
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| Toff190 | Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:24 am Post #3 |
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190 Mob Member and a Wise Guy.
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If it ain't broke don't fix it! There is no time limit on head gaskets. Just services the car regularly and enjoy. |
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| Daveycooper | Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:26 am Post #4 |
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I recall people saying that the 1.8 was more prone to head gasket going but I've never heard it mentioned as a specific or reoccurring issue on the 2.0 or 2.6. As advice above, get the coolant changed and don't worry about it. You can't buy a more reliable car from this era in my opinion. |
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| Chunk | Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:43 am Post #5 |
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Spammer Zapper
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Head gasket isn't a major worry on these engines. They are reliable and not a too expensive or difficult fix. As said above, no time or mileage limit, but keep it serviced |
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| Twin turbo | Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:53 am Post #6 |
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Headgaskets normaly only fail as a result of something else is wrong. As Said dont think about it before it fails. |
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| Big Ben | Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:49 am Post #7 |
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Sneaky 2.5-16 Driver!
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Use of the correct antifreeze and changing the coolant at the correct service interval is what protects head gaskets! corrosion is their worst enemy! |
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| Oddbod | Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:14 am Post #8 |
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Addicted
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I have seen a couple of 2.6s with the oil leak at the rear of the head. I understood that this is more of a problem than the gasket failing in the usual sense of the term. |
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| twopointsix | Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:32 pm Post #9 |
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Addicted
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My former daily driver had 220k miles on it when I sold it - fsh and no record of a head gasket problem and I understand it's still going strong. Regular anti-freeze changes will help and a new thermostat is a whole lot cheaper than a head gasket replacement. |
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| Greek Taxi | Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:35 pm Post #10 |
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More than part of things
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The reputation for 1.8s blowing head gaskets is weird... because the head is the same as for the 2.0. My head is even stamped '2.0'. I bought it with a blown head gasket though! |
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| airtight | Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:59 pm Post #11 |
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It is indeed still going strong, Steve. When I last had the coolant changed I had coolant system pressure and hydrocarbons tests done at the same time. Both tests indicated no problems at all. It' s still running as sharp as ever. This is a 190E 2.6. Edited by airtight, Tue Jun 20, 2017 1:03 pm.
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| Norseman | Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:07 pm Post #12 |
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Thanks for all the replies to my questions. Must admit to being a bit of a "worry wart" when it comes to cars partly due to the fact that as a game warden I worked alone far from any assistance or even radio contact.. I live in an area where towns are far and few between and traffic is light to virtually non existent on back roads so I travel with many spares in the trunk (boot). The nearest Mercedes dealer is an 8 hours drive away so perhaps you can understand my concern although I most always do my own repairs and maintenance. In any event your assurances that this is not an imminent repair prospect is appreciated. I have owned 4 Mercedes Benz autos during the past 40 years and have found the previous 3 to be reliable. Thanks |
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| Bradders | Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:13 pm Post #13 |
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More than part of things
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In my experience replacing the coolant every two year, with good quality coolant tends to help prevent this type of problem on any engine. |
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| Norseman | Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:38 pm Post #14 |
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Part of things
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| twopointsix | Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:18 am Post #15 |
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Addicted
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Pleased to hear the car's still going strong. It was a great car for me; it was properly maintained before I bought it and even better looked after during my ownership. It should last for many years if you look after it, and I'm sure you do. |
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| 2kpunt | Tue Aug 8, 2017 6:41 pm Post #16 |
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Newbie
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I guess the 1.8 blows the head gasket due to the lack of 200 cc's, anyone who's ridden a 200 cc motorbike will tell you how much power there can be. The worst things to do would be, Drive hard from cold (Uneven heating) Over rev (High pressures) Over heat (Warping) Warm it up gently and if your hard be far and there will be little problem. I have a 2L and it struggles up Detling Hill (over the north downs) due to the 50mph speed camera at the bottom. Blue Bell Hill is better because it's longer and you get a run up. I'm looking for a 2.6 because it would be able to keep up with big petrols and diesels easier in this modern age. I hope to only replace my head gasket when I do the cam chain, current mileage 107k cam chain at 140k |
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