Cavitation is a serious problem only in direct injection diesels with thin cylinder walls (think the large displacement Powerstrokes, not the original smaller displacement ones). The problem is that the cylinder flexes in and out with the pressure pulses of injection, causing a vapor bubble to occur in contact with the coolant side as the wall "pops" in and out. When the bubble of water vapor collapses, the impact of the water from the liquid side erodes the cast iron of the cylinder wall (or liner). Often shows up as a row of neat, exactly the same diameter holes down the liner or cast in place cylinder. Some people are convinced this is electrolysis, by the way, which it is NOT.
MB has always used generous amounts of material in their block castings, and has never had a problem with cavitation. I don't remember any instances of coolant passages cracking in use to the outside as has become common in Cummins six cylinder truck diesels lately, either -- again, the problem is insufficient material, flexing due to running vibration causes the very thin cast iron to fatigue and crack (also known as stress corrosion these days). The 60X heads were re-designed a couple times, and most of them, even the -14- heads, work fine. The -14- heads WILL crack if overheated, pretty much without exception. The oil passage problem has been cured with a re-enforced head gasket, now containing a metalized section across the oil passage. All of them can warp or collapse if seriously overheated though. Peter _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
