Head gasket replace?

[AtomicVette]

So took out the plugs they all looked okay except for #6. It looked like this...

http://www.BadImageGraphics.com/Mercedes/plug.jpg

Is this an indication of head gasket failure?

[anf6789]

What does it look like in coolant resevoir? Is there any oil in there? Under oil cap? Milky? Steam in exhast? Swap in some new plugs. What made you take the plugs out?

[Sulaco]

Wouldn't assume it's head gasket if that's the only symptom.

Question time.

kind of gas do you use, what kind of plug is it, and how long have you had the car?

[AtomicVette]

Well that would be part of the problem. I know very little about the history of this car. It was my girlfriends brothers. He said that he took it to firestone and they said it needed a radiator, (which it does I've already determined that) at which point he parked it. It's been sitting for about a year. I took ownership of it 3 days ago.

1995 C280

Symptoms when I got it.
-No Check Engine Light (bulb works it comes on during startup)
-Car didn't want to start, have to push throttle all the way down to get it to start
-Won't idle after starts

at that point I changed the plugs

Current Symptoms:

-Still No Check Engine Light
-Car still doesn't like to start but will when given 50% or so throttle when cranking
-Will idle after warms up
-Will run and drive
-Missing
-Running Rich

[anf6789]

sound Mass Air Flow MAF sensor related, a good tune up would be a great idea. Plugs wires coils, MAF sensor ect

[Sulaco]

That carbon on the plug indicates many many miles of regular fuel. The car tells you to use premium only on the gauge cluster and fuel filler glap for a reason.

Agree with anf. Complete tune up. Probably needs coils plugs and a severe cleaning of the valves somehow. Plug wires o2 sensors maybe a maf, air filter fuel filter and a seafoam treatment.

Do not use any other plug than oem bosch f8dc4. Do not use anything else, including bosch fr8dc4 which is often listed as oem but the "r" means it's wrong.

Looks like it was neglected for some time. Wrong plugs and cheap gas.

[AtomicVette]

Got the car up on my "lift" today the lower half of the engine is covered in oil. So I have no doubt there is a fairly good oil leak somewhere. The valve cover is leaking a little but I don't think enough to cause the amount of oil that's on the bottom of the engine. Anyway here are some pictures. and a video of the car running after I changed the plugs.

here's a video of it running (kinda) haha
http://www.badimagegraphics.com/mercedes/running.mov

First time I opened the hood.
http://www.badimagegraphics.com/mercedes/oily.jpg

After a good de-greasing and washing
http://www.badimagegraphics.com/mercedes/washed.jpg

Coils
http://www.badimagegraphics.com/mercedes/coils.jpg

Up on the KwikLift
http://www.badimagegraphics.com/mercedes/lift.jpg

[taz069]

I'd go with sul on this seafoam that puppie. Also run a compression test before seafoam and after. How many miles on her? This is just my opinion and that alone. A plug does not become black and oil covered for no reason. Either it was only working half the time or a 1/4 of the time, here again a week spark from a failing plug, wire or coil. It is strictly speculation at this point. On my 96 c-280 m104 6 cylinder the comp is supposed to be around 140psi according to the tech. Mine hovers between 100-110psi, keep in mind i have nearly 200,000 miles on mine. Will be keeping tabs let us know.

[AtomicVette]

did a compression test lowest one was 130 highest was 170. I'll get the actual numbers off my notepad next time I go out the garage.

Also after putting new plugs in and running it a couple times, took it around the block, took them out to do the compressions test. All the plugs look normal except for #6, doesn't look like it's been firing at all, clean as a whistle. Tested the coils and wires they are all producing spark.

[Sulaco]

From what I recall 170 is about right. Maybe even 180. I know 130 or 140 is too low.

[taz069]

Sul I would have to disagree on the 140 being to low. When I used the mercedes tech on finding my 1 tooth off issue he had stated that around 140 is fine on older cars. He had also stated to me that even lower than 140 is permissable. As long as the car starts and run's fine. Now in a perfect world we would all love to have new compression readings on our older motors but that just isn't the case. He also did mention that with some road mileage things should balance out a bit more. Not that the rings have to reseat or anything just get some of the old junk broke loose. Sorry sulaco I just had to chime in. And this is from a certified mercedes tech.

[Sulaco]

You said one of those pics is after you washed it. Please tell me you didn't wash the engine bay, or worse pressure wash your engine bay.