Am I getting taken advantage of??>> - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nissanzx1 · #1 07-09-2007, 07:23 PM

My '91 300E 4Matic w/ 191K is at an independent shop for a head gasket replacement for a very reasonable $950. They say the head is NOT warped

During the work, the shop called and said the plug wires had split and the car needed a cap, wires, and plugs for $370 including labor. I authorized the extra work with hesitation.

Then the shop calls again and says the car needs a new radiator ($268--they are going to be "nice" and not charge me labor on the radiator install). They claim that only half of the radiator is working properly. Is that complete BS, or possible? If they don't install the radiator, the shop will not warranty the head gasket work. I said let me sleep on it. Are they just trying to avoid cleaning the oil sludge out of the radiator?

I have sourced a new radiator just over $100--is this something that's easy to replace? I am about a 3 or 4 out of 10 in terms of mechanical skills, with 10 being a real mechanic.

Looking for opinions on my situation, please comment if you have time...

-GH

gmercoleza · #2 07-09-2007, 08:26 PM

Radiator is easy to replace. Only 2 clips, disconnect the hoses and tranny lines, and it's out in your hands. 15 minutes tops. Is it possible that your existing radiator is plugged? Yes, anything is possible. You did not state why your head gasket was being replaced - did it overheat?

Hatterasguy · #3 07-09-2007, 09:49 PM

If its the original its probably shot. I'd just have them do it while its all apart.

Why does the head gasket need to be changed? Did it overheat?

nissanzx1 · #4 07-09-2007, 10:00 PM

Hi guys and thanks for the comments. I just acquired the car from an old friend about 3 weeks ago. I had always admired the car and once almost bought it for $3000. My friend sold it to me for $200 with the knowledge that it needed a head gasket and some minor bodywork. He knew the head gasket was bad mostly because he found oil in the radiator.

I called the owner previous to my friend and he also did the head gasket about 100K miles ago. He stated that it was the best car he ever owned.

Since the radiator is so easy to install, I think I am going to do it myself. I am on a very tight budget with this car as this is car #4 for me and I do not make a lot of money.

Earlier today when they hit me up for the $370 for the tune-up I should have refused--and done it myself...

-GH

Kyle Blackmore · #5 07-09-2007, 10:14 PM

It's too bad you didn't say no to the plugs etc, that would have been an easier way to hone your skills. Replacing the rad is easy but then you have to refill the cooling system and not get any airlocks. I would bite the bullet and let the shop do it, that way your not going to lose your warranty on the head gasket job.Good luck

TMAllison · #6 07-09-2007, 10:14 PM

May take a lil more than 15 minutes to r & r the radiator but is not a *bad* job. You will want to make certain you use MB (or the aftermarket Zerox G-05) coolant and make certain it has been properly burped afterwards to remove any residual bubbles in the system.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124Radiator

gmercoleza · #7 07-09-2007, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

May take a lil more than 15 minutes to r & r the radiator but is not a *bad* job. You will want to make certain you use MB (or the aftermarket Zerox G-05) coolant and make certain it has been properly burped afterwards to remove any residual bubbles in the system.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124Radiator

Seriously, it takes me only 15 minutes, but then I have probably done it a dozen times. When I replaced my H2O pump, it had a bleeder at the top of the tstat housing which makes burping unnecessary - I just loosen the bleeder, fill until it's coming out of the bleeder, and retighten.

nissanzx1 · #8 07-09-2007, 11:00 PM

Okay guys here's the deal: The shop's warranty really doesn't mean much to me as the car will see very little drive time. I'm sure it's like 6 months/6K miles or something... This car won't go 2K miles in the next year.

This shop has been around for ages, and I was there watching the dude do some of the head gasket work. Kinda weird seeing your baby completely torn apart like that!! My point is that I'm not worried about the car having head gasket issues in the next 6 or so months at all...

So--- Define "burping" for me. I'm guessing I fill the reservoir to the top on a cool engine--start it with the cap off and slowly add more coolant until it's at the fill line? That's It?

Thanks...

-GH

gmercoleza · #9 07-09-2007, 11:10 PM

Even though you fill the reservoir to the top, there can and most likely will still be air in the system. It tends to collect at the top of the T-stat housing and the top hose. You have to squeeze that hose to coax as much air out of there as possible, since the H2O pump is not positive-drive and will fail to circulate coolant if there is any air around the vanes.

I like to burp the system as much as possible, then start the engine with the heater on full blast (to get circulating through the heater core too). I watch the temp gauge - if it doesn't start rising after a minute or two then you have air in the system and need to shut it off ASAP!

nissanzx1 · #10 07-10-2007, 11:09 PM

UPDATE!! Today, I picked up the car and driving it hope it was running very hot--not quite to the red but it would have got there in another minute or two. The car was running very well...

Anyway, I removed the fender that was damaged and also removed the radiator and was amazed at how easy it was to get out. It literally did only take about 20 minutes. I am buying a Nissen radiator for $166 shipped to replace the original Behr.

Hopefully, this cures the overheating problem... Thanks to those whom encouraged me to tackle the problem myself.

brewtoo · #11 07-11-2007, 09:04 AM

I see you have a burping fitting on your t-stat housing. Don't forget to use it!

BrazBenz · #12 07-11-2007, 09:34 AM

If you paid so little for the car I'd say it is wise to invest 2-3K on it.
I did the same with my c280 97 (bought for much more in Brazil) and the outcome was great. I got a "brand new" 1997 car (about 40K miles) and added 2.5K dollars to the cost.
Mercedes are great cars and this kind of action pays for itself.
Jorge

PS: If you are good in doing it yourself things get even better.

gmercoleza · #13 07-11-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nissanzx1

It literally did only take about 20 minutes.

Glad to hear it. Like I said, it's really quite simple...

nissanzx1 · #14 07-11-2007, 10:40 AM

BrewToo:
I see you have a burping fitting on your t-stat housing. Don't forget to use it!

Can you walk me through step by step what needs to be done to properly "burp" I would GREATLY appreciate a little more info on it...

Thanks all!!

-GH

brewtoo · #15 07-11-2007, 11:05 AM

Simply remove the bolt from the top of the t-stat housing as you add the coolant. When the coolant flows out of the hole with no air, replace the bolt and you are done.

BTW, I suppose you noticed that popular opinion says NOT to use green coolant.

And when you replace the fan shroud, be sure all the little pins are seated in the holes after you turn it to lock it in place.