How to Remove a Mercedes Cylinder Head

1. Lift the hood and study the layout of the cylinder head which needs to be removed. The fuel sending unit will need to be removed or disabled before you attempt to remove the cylinder head, as well as the cylinder head cover and valve covers. Refer to the specific engine layout in your Mercedes Benz repair guide to determine what must be removed prior to removing the cylinder head.
2. Unbolt the cylinder head by loosening the retaining bolts one at a time starting with the bottom bolt in the center. The next bolt will be the top center. Remove the next bolt in a clockwise fashion from the bottom, then remove the bolt to the right of the one at the top. Continue in this fashion until all the head bolts are removed completely. Do not attempt to pry or pull on the cylinder head until the bolts are removed.
3. Pull the cylinder head away from the engine block, being careful to avoid bending the valves or allowing waste gasket material or other debris to enter the cylinders. If replacing the head gasket, scrape the old gasket material away with a plastic scraper if necessary, and ensure that the mounting surface of the cylinder head is completely clean before reinstalling the head.