Back Again, Different Problem, Need Advice (89 190E 2.6)

My condolences...

I've had my head gasket replaced at a tune of $2500 Cdn approx. a year and a half ago. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT bring your car to an unknown or cheapest shop you can find. I made that mistake and have paid to a tune of $5000 total due to the incompetence of that shop... my cam shaft broke not even 2 hours after driving off that lot...

I took my 190 E (1993) MB broken cam shaft for second, third, fourth expert opinions and all said that it was most likely the result of incorrect install of the camshaft... Long story which I will not bore you guys with... anyway, I'm done with that money pit of a car after that incident (spent another $2000 in other problems after that initial head gasket leak before I traded it in for a brand spanking new mini van)...

Will purchase another MB sometime in the future (when I make enough deniros to live comfortably with the exorbitant repairs/maintenance that MB charges ;)...

R Green Tech Support

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Lee,

Is this quote from an MB dealer? If it is, why not take the car to a decent independent? There are some very good ones who will do the job properly and will not charge as much for what is a fairly simple job. I assume you are in the USA (I'm in the UK) so you should be able to find a repair facility on here. The same job in the UK at my local MB expert would cost around £600 - only $1000.

Regards, Al, 1990 500SE 128,000 miles

Al, Thanks for the suggestion, but the estimate is from a very reliable independent that comes highly recommended by Tri-Star Pete, the local MB salvage yard and by one of the best local automotive machine shops that specializes in rebuilding/repairing MB heads (I found it interesting that they both recommended the same guy!). Even at USD $1,000.00 the cost of repairs would be out of my reach, which is why I have to get rid of the car.

I appreciate your taking the time to respond, and wish I didn't have to dispose of this car, since it is fully paid for, but our economic situation is so critical right now, I can't see any way of paying the "MB price" for repairs.

Lee

how about doing the head job yourself? take a couple days off work (you might be sick, maybe ;-) ... it's not a difficult job, read up on it first in the manual.

Make sure you are looking at your costs accurately. First, what will you get for the car as salvage? (Ask TriStar Pete, and you might be able to get %15 more from an individual) Now add $2500 to that. Now what car can you get for that? Keep in mind that a used car is always an unknown, and it will have "surprises" along the line. I understand cash being tight. but make sure you are not costing yourself more in an effort to save money. One option might be to finance the car for the repair. Talk to your bank about it. Also, you might want to consider doing the job yourself. Pulling the head is a PItA, and it takes a lot of time, but is no too hard. Good luck.

Lee (but a different one)

Lee (the other one)

Thanks for your response and suggestions. If I may, I'd like some clarification on some of your points. (Questions inserted between sentences of your message.)

for the car as salvage? (Ask TriStar Pete, and you might be able to get %15 more from an individual) Now add $2500 to that. Now what car can you get for that? Keep in mind that a used car is always an unknown, and it will have "surprises" along the line. I understand cash being tight. but make sure you are not costing yourself more in an effort to save money.

Are you saying, if for example the salvage price was $1,000, and the price from an individual through say, eBay would be $1,150, and the $2,500 is the estimated cost of repair, the "true cost" of any used car we were to purchase would be what we pay for it plus $3,650?

Good Suggestion. I'm trying to avoid taking on payments of any kind because of my uncertain earnings and high-interest we'll have to pay due to late payments which have made our credit rating less than perfect. >Also, you might want to consider doing the job yourself. Pulling the head is a PItA, and it takes a lot of time, but is no too hard.

What is "PItA?" I presume it's 'Pain In the A__' correct? I've thought about doing it myself and have a Service Manual on CD that will give me directions for most of what I'll need to know. Only thing holding me back is (1) getting the car out of the dealer's control [$$ 4 diagnostics], and (2) having to buy several new tools as most of my metric collection is too small for heavy engine work.

Thanks for your time, advice and suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Lee (the other one)

It is :-)

I don't know exactly th 2.6 engine, but when doing my 2.0 the heaviest were tools for camshaft sprocket nut (IIRC 27 mm) and chain tensioner cover (IIRC 30 mm). Of course you need star shaped (torx) 12 (?) mm for head bolts and dyno tool too. And do not forget a clamp to fish out small parts that fall into the engine ;-)

Do not take off anything that can be left untouched (for example part of the intake manifold or whatever is suitable).

Helar

Just watch the terminology...in the UK many (most?) dealers are owned by DC, whereas in US none are.

I.e., careful of the definition of "independent dealer" UK vs US.

DAS

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