Current project: engine rebuild

I have good previous experience by rebuilding an engine in the car, down to changing piston rings.

When I bought this car I knew already that I would rebuild this one too. I had to replace most of the block seals, the leak at the timing case was pretty much out of control already. Now I have time I started the project.

The engine is a MB M104.980, the last KE-Jet edition, but already 24v, with variable valve timing. It's also an I6 engine, something I never worked on before, sounds like fuuuuun!

I gathered a lot of pieces during the last year. I had: piston rings (Mahle), valve stem seals, head bolts and head gasket (Reinz), manifold gaskets (intake Elring, exhaust MB), and a lower seal set (Ajusa).

Before starting, I've ordered the rest: new timing and oil pump chains (Febi), I went for the closed ones.  The small chain rail at the top is also (Febi), but the main tensioner rail and the oil pump one are only available from MB. Also the oil trap's gasket, which didn't come with the lower gasket set. Oil filter + plug. Now I thought I have all, but!

It turned out that seňor Victor Reinz is listing the wrong head gasket for this engine. Sooo, I ordered an Elring one. Things started to get expensive! Then, the valve stem kit turned out to be for a newer version, so I got another (Febi) set. Two sets indeed.

I ended up buying conrod big end bearings and few small parts and some bolts. Way over the planned €300-400, but yet I'll have to add up.