Classic R107 SL Repair Series Part 13: How to Prevent Catastrophic Engine Failure

Mark my words. Do not neglect this part of the V8 engine. All DIY repair parts, kits, and instructions CLICK HERE mercedessource... Link to my full playlist on R107 restoration and repair: • Classic SL R107 Rollin...

[@ricklappi3427]

Kent not sure you remember but you saved the day for me and my 1987 560SL. I was doing some research came on your website, watched one of your videos and thought, hmm, maybe I better check mine. Long story short bought your kit, oiler clips, timing chain guides, your EXCELLENT write up with the kit on replacing guides, timing chain, etc. When I opened the driver side up sure enough there was the lower guide, split in half, barely hanging on the guide pin. Talk about CATASTROPHIC failure ready to happen. All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Keep up all the excellent work, advice, tools, and videos that you do. A grateful Mercedessource customer.

[@terryatkinson899]

Really like being able to comment on your videos. I'm sure people get alot from watching from your experience. Well done having 225k subscribers

[@waltpartymiller6802]

You are a very good teacher.

[@n4120p]

Kent you are the Mercedes Benz Guardian Angel !!!

[@tomburke1687]

Excellent video and very educational----hope you will continue this series on this particular car.

[@ACabral711]

My 89 shot one of the oiler clips off of the tube last year, I thought the motor was toast. Fortunately the engine was fine. Rebuilds for these motors are not cheap.

[@guyg7160]

I bought my 89 last late summer. It has an oil leak(s). The valve cover bolts were very loose no torque at all. I need some parts ordered as I might as well do this job. One for piece of mind, one for I like this engine.

[@SuperMAZ007]

Very good video, always learning something new.

[@FBfogo]

Crutial point is oiler tubes. What is not seen is that each tube has a 1mm hole directly above each cam lobe to deliver oil. These holes can and do clog ruining both the cam lobe and rocker arm. The tube and connectors are one of the lowest priced parts you can buy. Buy the kit and replace now. My 380Sl had only 67K when a hole clogged. Had to replace dvr side cam shaft and rockers.

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

Cherry is a Peach ! Poor old Crunchy... :-(

[@Mercedessource]

You are right. The more I work on Cherry the more I realize it was a super find!

[@rileynewton17]

Save crunchys engine! Seldom do you see one so clean

[@Mercedessource]

I plan to if it checks out. Later this spring I will get it running and do a compression test before pulling. Then I will start looking for a 450SL with a bad engine...

[@rileynewton17]

@@Mercedessource that will make for a great series. Excited to see

[@mazenkhazaal698]

Hi, just wanted to update you. I have replaced the Timing Chain and all the 6 Plastic Guides (including the 2 bottom ones that i was not planning to replace) also replaced the Tensioner with a MB original one also replaced the Oil Pump short Chain with its small plastic guide. My mechanic worked 3 days to complete the job as he had remove the timing cover out and the oil pan to reach to the two bottom plastic guides and to the pump chain/guide; but why i replaced those two bottom guides ? because when we opened the left valves cover we noticed that one of the plastic guides (the one to the right) is broken and i was lucky that the broken part was squeezed in a narrow place thus didn't move every time i start the engine otherwise i would have been having a catastrophic issue as you have mentioned in your video. Yes, every one should change the Chain, its guides, tensioner, etc... if he don't know the maintenance history. I also replaced the water pump as a preventive maintenance. I was inspired by your Video. thanks.

[@zenjamin6262]

Hey Kent I'll send you some toilet paper if you give me access to some of your videos ... someone today asked me where I got the green gloves at the grocery store told them it's a mercedes thing.

[@azmike3572]

My car-guy grocery cashier offered me a few cases of toilet paper for the title to my '66 Vette. Still thinking about it...

[@zenjamin6262]

@@azmike3572 profit margin would be close...

[@mazenkhazaal698]

Hi. i have a 1984 SL380 (double chain). Sometimes i hear an unpleasant sound when i start the engine so decided to change the "1-Timing Chain", "2-Tensioner", "3-two left and one right top plastic guides" and "4-the tensioner plastic guide". (i.e. i am NOT planning to replace the two bottom plastic guides. What do you think?) The car ODO stopped at 126k miles and no clue when hahah.

[@RAREYACHT]

So enjoy love what you do! I’ve owned Mercedes-Benz SL380 450 560! I have 1985 SL 380 the time chain slipped as lost compression on left side! Is it worth to rebuild! The Rocker arms you can pull all out they slid out! When it happens! About 200 years a I turned it off! Anything you recommend!?😎😉thanks Ross from North Carolina

[@vwkingla619]

Hey Kent which way does the Woodruff key go on the camshaft for the offset to the left or to the right

[@vwkingla619]

I'm about to tackle a 82 380 SL with a seized cam on the left side the chain is a double row chain but I believe we are going to change the chain do you think the valves have been I guess we'll have to do a leak down test to test that but we do have the new cam followers and I guess we have to get new oil plastic clips

[@Mercedessource]

Depends what caused the cam to seize. If the chain jumped the sprocket and the valves hit the pistons, then you are going to have some bent valves. You won't even need a compression tester you will be able hear the lack of compression when you spin the engine over.

[@bagerton]

Kent, can you make a video on all components under the hood of the R107?

[@bagerton]

NOT IN DETAIL, JUST POINT OUT WHAT IS WHAT

[@Chuckyd26]

Hi Kent, has this 380SL's heater valve been replaced with later 126 style? Or does the 380SL's have a different heater valve to the other models?

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Could you please tell me what is the difference between the engine in the 380SL,450 SL, to the engine in the 560 SL, would the engine from the 560 SL fit a 380 SL, 450 SL.

[@junzhang2087]

Do you have a garage in Washington state? I want bring my 560Sl to your garage for service

[@Mercedessource]

Sorry, I do not do outside service work. My "garage" functions for the purpose of R&D for new products and filming videos for the DIY mechanic..

[@OB928]

Wish you made house calls.... 😐

[@dsciulli]

My 76 450sl once warms up burns oil like its mad at me.

[@mtomiuk8133]

Hi Guys, I am looking at an 1985 380 SL. It has some rust on the undercarriage with some flaking and two perforations the size of silver dollars. Can this be repaired? Is it a big deal?

[@Mercedessource]

Too many factors involved to advise from afar. But if the rust is from exposure to road salt, walk away from the car. There are just too many good rust free 380SLs out there on the market

[@mtomiuk8133]

@@Mercedessource Thank you Sir! Got it!

[@ronmcgutherie8473]

Need replace heads on 107 help

[@Mercedessource]

Your best source for help would be the Mercedes factory engine service manual.

[@071946]

Any answer to a clunky shift changing transmission?

[@Mercedessource]

You either have a bad transmission vacuum modulator or the vacuum line to the transmission is leaking or has become disconnected.

[@ddepair1013]

Would u inspect at 53000 miles on a 1989 R107 with a good maintenance history?

[@Mercedessource]

Everything. Watch my full video series on the 107 and you will learn that just because maintenance has been done you are not "home free." I ALWAYS find things that have been missed or not done properly on 30 plus year old cars!

[@ddepair1013]

Mercedessource Thanks! Great series.

[@alexanderescarsega3016]

Wanna sell Crunchy's engine?

[@Mercedessource]

Sorry, too valuable... :-)