how much should I be paying for a valve job. I'm looking for a machine shop in so.cal area to do the head from a 300e. whats recommended for this mileage? 116k.

What are the symptoms? Normally nothing would be necessary at that mileage - other than maybe stem seals - which doesn't require removing the head.

I'm not sure what YEAR your car is- but.


The early M103'ss being split somewhere in 89, did have valve guides which wear rather quickly. Generally, you'd like to make it to a headgasket blowing or leaking badly and then do the valve job.

To answer your question, it really depends. What are they going to do?

clean and pressure test the head
Replace all valve guides
face valve seats
Grind valves/replace vales as needed
replace valve seals
weld any defects prior to milling
skim cut on head if needed

I'd expect a shop that is VERY familar with doing work on mercedes(higher tolerances than a chevy)- say $3-500 and could be $700 with a bunch of valves.


Michael

__________________
Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

it developed a leak towards the rear of the engine, oil was leaking down around the trans and making me think of rear main seal. oh noos! I figure that I do not want to pull the head again so I might as well get the valve guides and seals changed. it really should not need anything more than that. or should I just do the seals myself and cal???/

oops, car is a 88 300e.