'78 W123 240D

Yeah they're about 6K.

$500-$1500

Easiest is get a used good engine. Otherwise, rebuild it. Rebuilt engine can be had for about $2700 plus core. Rebuilding is cheaper.

Depending on the damage... if only cylinder sleeve is bad... get it resleaved, reuse old piston with new rings... and have valvebody rebuilt... Any competent machine shop can do it for you. That's assuming you can take out the engine.

Otherwise, you are better off used engine and have someone put it in.

It may be easier to find a 300D engine than a 240 because (i) 240s are favored for other uses which drains their limited inventory and (ii) there were more 300D cars imported. However, I recall that you love 240s so how about a rebuilt motor?

Yes, this is what I am finding. I am tempted to go with the new one, just because the car itself is very low total miles, and would be worth it in the long run.

Thanks very much for the information.

Randall Brink

The problem with this one is that some idiot put after-market glow plugs in. The wires were too long and, purportedly (I haven't actually looked into the cylinder since the head was removed) the wire ends broke, went into the head and (somehow) found their way into the lower end of the engine and caused irrepairable damage. Frankly, I do not know how it is possible that both the upper and lower was damaged--I am developing a theory that the damage may have been separate problems; howewver, a reliable shop has declared the engine shelled, and thus these questions.

It is a true shame on a 240D with only 68K to have something like this happen.

Many thanks for the advice, information and assistance.

On Jan 26, 11:48 am, "-->> T.G. Lambach

Huh?