Ailing Mercedes Engines Have Their Own Specialists In Florida

Noel's in Winter Park, Florida is widely known for its rebuilt Mercedes longblock aluminum engines. In fact, the company is the only facility in the U.S. that rebuilds these engines on a production basis so that they have Mercedes 3.8, 4.2, 5.0, and 5.6 liter rebuilt longblock aluminum engines in stock and ready to ship.

Owner and founder Noel Coulantes explains that his company's specialty niche evolved naturally over the years. After Cornell, he first learned to work on the all-aluminum Chevrolet V-8s of the 1960's. then he bought his first Mercedes-Benz while he was stationed with the U.S. military in Germany and learned to work on it.

Back as a civilian, Noel opened a Texaco station in Winter Park in 1971 that also became widely recognized as a Mercedes and Porsche repair shop. By late 1975, he abandoned repairing cars, and opened a Mercedes salvage yard in Orlando. In short, "I went from repairing cars to being in the junk business," he quips.

It took a few years, but by 1977 Noel's salvage operation was large-scale and famous. "We had 77,000 square feet under roof with about 350 wrecked Mercedes cars inside," Noel recalls.

During that time period, though, Noel's was still rebuilding engines, working on Porsches, BMWs, and Mercedes-Benz. "We were known for rebuilding the Turbo Porsche engine that came out in 1976," he notes.

Around 1977-78, Noel became a remanufacturer of Mercedes engines exclusively, and his business grew to the point that in 1980, they were building "a couple hundred a year."

It was then that the company created its current niche by concentrating exclusively on rebuilding Mercedes all-aluminum V-8 engines.

Mutual Appreciation

Noel remembers that he started using Deves piston rings in 1972. At that time, he purchased the rings through Brinson Co. of Harahan (New Orleans) Louisiana, one of the oldest distributors of Mercedes-Benz parts in the United States. Today he is as satisfied as ever, so much so that he now gives Deves feedback on tolerances and what he wants as features on rings for newer series Mercedes engines.

Noel puts the features of Deves rings that appeal to him under two general categories: "ease of seating" and "no failures." He explains that the hard coatings on some rings cause problems during the break in period. This simply does not occur with Deves rings. They "seat" easily. Nor do they allow oil consumption when increased clearance is needed. Instead, these rings hold tolerance, which solves any ring sticking problems.

"Deves rings solve that problem no matter what. The design of the oil ring is the secret. It's critical, " Noel says.

"They have the best design and the proof is our satisfied customers," Noel adds. "We have examples of engines with 120,000 mile that have Deves piston rings. These engines are still without oil consumption, and their owners are still happy with them. It's right in that range (120,000 miles) that you start appreciating how great a part really is."

Value Added

Customer satisfaction drives Noel Coulantes' business, so he's acutely aware of its elements. In a typical year, he rebuilds 70 engines, priced approximately between $5,500 and $8,500.

He offers his customers, 80 percent of whom are authorized Merceds-Benz dealers and the remaining 20 percent independent repair shops, value-added service as well. Noel sells all over the country and pays the freight cost to send out a rebuilt engine as well as to ship him the damaged engine. For his customers, it's one-stop shopping in that all they have to do is pick up the phone.

Noel's rebuilt longblocks come with a 12 month, unlimited warranty. They upgrade all engines to the latest components to eliminate weak points. Every engine is fitted with double-row chains. A new Mercedes-Benz factory water pump is installed. The latest design Mercedes-Benz gaskets and seals are used. Additionally, all headbolt holes are Heli-coiled.

Noel credits the company's continued success to these services and the fact that he is the only manufacturing company that has Mercedes longblock-aluminum V-8 engines in stock ready to ship.

"We even have 1990 and newer models," he notes. "The aluminum V-8 business is wonderful."