94 C280 wiring harness and leaking head gasket

Hey gang long time no see. Got a question about the above subject. The Houston and MBUSA denied my claim under the goodwill for replacing the harness. No reason given just a flat out no.

The extended warranty that I bought also denied my claim for the repairs, another Houston company.

I will be calling for a prorated refund on the warranty!

A independent shop gave me an estimate of 1100.00 for the wiring harness, purchase of harness and labor. Also quoted me about 1200 for replacing leaking head gasket. The headgasket is weeping in the front right hand side. Every oil change I clean up a film of oil residue, no gushers.

Is the above mentioned quotes for the scope of work mentioned a reasonable price?

Also any tips on how to deal with MBUSA for the wiring harness or is it a lost cause and just suck it up?

Well. I'll be standing by for the zingers, thanks for the help guys. LH

[Ashman]

As far as the harness, the price seems to be in the ball park of what others have paid, maybe they have paid just a bit less.... If I remember correctly from others posts about it. If you search for wiring harness, or engine harness, you should find a lot of people have discussed this and its costs. Perhaps you can get stats on how many good will repairs have been done on the harness for your car's year and model, to help you in your fight to get it done under warranty or for free.

Does your warranty state it covers electrical? If it does then why would they deny to do the wiring harness, and is the warranty going to cover your head gasket? If not, what the hell good is the warranty?

As for the Head Gasket, I think the average cost is anywhere from $1000 to $1500 depending on what else has to be done and of course where you go. But I have not had it done myself, so My prices may not be even close to what it really costs.

IF they are changing the head gasket are they going to be doing a valve job too or is it just to replace the gasket? If its just the gasket, you should find out about doing the valves at the same time, It can't hurt to do them then, once the head is off, you might as well get the valves done.

I'm not a tech, and I have no idea on the actual prices, but from what I have read on this site, and from what I can remember, that is if my memory serves me corectly, it is within the average price of what you got quoted.

Alon

Thanks for the feedback. Yes the warranty covers electrical and the rep. said that because the car was not broke he would not fix it. Same insane rationale was used on the head gasket, so my question is he would rather I have a catasptrophic failure then he'll fix it?

That's why I'm asking for a prorated refund, this clown will not even have the courtesy to return my calls or pages.

Well, I think you have a point I forgot to mention the car only has 70k on it and is peforming flawlessly otherwise.So with that in mind think a valve job is still a good preventive measure?

I would leave it alone were it not for the seed planted in my head by my MB tech that a wiring harness failure can smoke the computer and that's another 2k per his estimate.

Thanks for the info, I look forward to the other replies to come.

Thanks for stating the obvious! That's why this forum is so great. I got side tracked between taking Online undergraduate courses and shift work that I just missed that completely. I'll call MBUSA and ask for the Zone rep for Houston area and will do the same for the warranty company.

Hey keep those phones a ringing with your suggestions it's the deal with your frustration week and we need your comments! yeah

[Shooter]

If this is the engine harness that you are talking about, MB had LOTS of problems with them on the 104 engines deteriorating (usually around the coils)and I have heard of MB picking up the tab for some of them so push MBNA a little harder. Maybe..