CaptainDean wrote:
Mercedes has a good reputation for engineering all the small problems out of their cars, I'm surprised they didn't cure the solid lifter issue for a long time. Of course the winters in Germany were very cold so the parts may have shrunk slightly smaller overnight. I suppose part of Mercedes' reputation was keeping the mechanics happy.
I remember those asbestos insulating blankets, and I remember when asbestos was outlawed. I was in high school. Google says is was no longer used after 1978 but I'm sure it was loosing ground before that. Late 60s? I was 15 in 1968.
Dean.
The OM617 was close to bullet proof. Good for 3 million Km without the head off. After that diesel engine MB started using alloy heads & they had hydraulic lifters, OM601 & others. That was about 1985. I think their petrol engines had hydraulic lifters earlier.
Over here asbestos was still being used in industrial applications in the late 80's. That is when I got my hands on the gasket sheet. IIRC, it was being thrown out. About that time 'muffler putty' was no longer around. The Chinese are still using it for exhaust gaskets. There was a recall in Aus for Great Wall pickups a few years ago because they had asbestos exhaust manifold gaskets.
I have a good friend who is an investigator with the EPA over here. They have a rock out of an asbestos mine (blue asbestos) as a paper weight. When visitors to their office see it, they are always picking it up for a look. When they ask what it is & are told, they put it down quick. Its covered in clear coat & harmless but people still think its dangerous to touch.
You have about 3 years on me! I am 68 next month.