Well, I have been really busy and the SDL seemed to be humming along great. That was until November. On my way back from the airport the heat conked out. I went all winter without heat because I travel a bit and it really was not that cold in Denver.

Then, I went to turn the ac on a couple of weeks ago on warm day - poof no ac.

I finally bit the bullet and took the car in. Here is what they came back with:

1. New AC system - I guess the compressor is leaking pretty bad. 2k.
2. New Monovalve and hoses. The mechanic indicated that both were pretty bad and needed to be replaced. $825.
3. I have a leak on the front crank pulley. Apparently the radiator has to come out to get to it. $800.
4. My engine shock was broken - $190.

I guess it was my turn for some fun. I have had the car for 4 years with zero repairs, just maintenance.

All told after discount it will be $3500. I am fixing the car no matter what, I love it and I own it (not to mention it *only* has 195k on it). I am not sure if these reasonable prices or not, but I do trust the dealership with the car. They have been straightforward with me at all times.

For those that will ask, I have neither the time nor the skill to make some of these repairs. I am sure the dealer is making a bit of money, but the labor rate is $85/hr. not bad considering.

One bright side - the AC will be converted back to R12. Ice cold air again.

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86 300 SDL - Vesuvius

96 SL 500

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

Monovalve and hoses $825 Replacing the monovalve takes 5 minutes.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

By leak on the front crank pulley, I expect that you mean a front main seal leak behind the front crank pulley? If so, they all have this and unless it's throwing/dripping a lot of oil, I'd suggest living with it (if it's only leaving a little oil on the front of the engine). No harm really other than an occasional drip.

I recently replaced mine as part of more major work, but in the car it means pulling the balancer/pulley from the car, they will almost certainly find it has a groove in it and suggest a replacement (the seal can be seated back a few MM to miss the groove per FSM), R&R of the radiator and condensor is certainly not without risk and probably will also balloon into a larger expense.

I'd imagine that the dealership is being honest and just quoting book prices and giving you what they've found wrong. No matter what though, on a car of this age there will always be more when things are opened up, and the car is probably only worth around $3500 so ask what else they think they might run into (if anyone there has significant/recent experience in 126 SDLs) and budget for all of it.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Me thinks the mechanic is smoking crack. Monovalve and hoses $825? Start doing some research then get your wrenches out. You are about to save some cash.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Rolling down the windows is free. How hot does it get in Denver?

It gets pretty hot here in the summer. In july/august we will be over 100 degrees. I would really rather have AC since I have clients I have to take out. It would be fun to try and explain the lack of AC. I have enough fun explaining the 25 year old car to them.

the discussion on the monvalve is curious. I will call them out on that and find out what the deal is. I suspect a big part of it is parts. I know I am getting beat up a bit on parts, but in reality the other items seem reasonable. Ultimately they have had several chances to soak me and did not. I cannot imagine that they are suddenly getting greedy with me.

babymog is right, that is the seal that is leaking. I guess it leaking pretty good because I have a drip pan full of oil-soaked cardboard in my garage. I would rather change it if it is not too much trouble - I really dislike leaking cars.


I am actually OK with spending more money on the car. I know you can always try and buy another, but when you deal with old cars this kind of stuff happens. Besides, I have driven this car for 4 years with minimal repairs and I plan on driving this car for another 10+ years. I knew an investment like this would come along. I cannot wait until I have the front end redone - another 2500.

I figure I can either spend a couple of hundred a year on average for repairs or drop considerably more on a newer car and watch the depreciation kick in and wipe out what I paid. At least I know this car and its potential faults. If I buy another used car, I am taking chances that I do not need to take.

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86 300 SDL - Vesuvius

96 SL 500

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

having functioning A/C has little to do with it being hot out. Every where in the world has moisture. (almost). A/C pulls moisture out, whether you add heat to the equation or not is up to you.

2K for A/C work isn't ridiculous unless all they are doing is the compressor and R12. I'd replace as many seals as possible, the expansion valve, the drier, etc.

Mono valve and hoses price is insulting. Mono valve can be rebuilt for $50-100 parts. Even if hoses are bad (Not likely) they aren't expensive or difficult to replace.

Good opportunity to find an independent and have this stuff done.

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83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.

Understanding that you don't want to be technical and fix it yourself - You do owe it to yourself to bring it to a good local indie that will do the same work.

The mono valve being near to $1000 to do is -really- 30min job and TOPS $100 in parts. That's more than gouging, that's outright rape. That estimate alone would guarantee I wouldn't ever bring a car there.

What area do you live in? Perhaps someone knows someone within an hour from you that could cut that bill in half and actually SPECIALIZE in old Mercs.

Dave

I called the dealership - I have asked them for an reason for the expense.

I will let y'all know as soon as I hear back.

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86 300 SDL - Vesuvius

96 SL 500

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

So I heard from the dealer - here is the breakdown:

They are charging me $280 for the monovalve itself. There is another $240 in parts for the 6 heater hoses (which are original) and other items. The labor is $311 total. That would be about 4 hours at their rates.

The other three items seemed pretty reasonable and in line with what I have seen here.

Edit:

Spoke directly with the service advisor. it seems the floats in the valve are bad. Apparently this is not part of the rebuild process. They tried to loosen them up, but were unable to free them. This is why they want to replace the valve. The hoses are the form fit hoses. Apparently they can get a bit pricey. All in this job will actually cost $700 since I get some sort of MBCA discount.

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86 300 SDL - Vesuvius

96 SL 500

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

example:

ALL your heater and radiator hoses.
Monovalve repair kit.

You can do this yourself!

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'84 300SD sold
124.128