HELP! My sister just called me. Her 03' CLK 320 is having issues. The mechanic just informed her that she needs a valve job. The car has about 135,000 miles. Is this too soon? Just had the cats replaced, plugs, and mass airflow sensor. WTH! Any suggestions? How much is a reasonable price for a valve job?

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1972 220d gone lived a good life
1972 280se gone but not forgotten
1978 300D the best i ever had
1977 350se speed racer gone
1995 honda accord lx coupe victim of the growing family
1988 300e gone but not forgotten

A valve job typically entails replacing the valve guides and seals as well as grinding the valve seats. At 135k, I highly doubt that any of those are in need of repair. In fact I've yet to see any of those engines actually NEED a valve job. The few that have had the heads off of were due to other failures, ingesting a foreign object for example. Before spending another cent on the car you need an explanation of WHY the car needs a valve job. It may be possible that the failed catalysts were neglected long enough to cause other problems but when the cats typically fail it's from a loose substrate, not plug-ups. Several questions need to be answered: Was a compression test done? Why were the catalysts replaced? Is this the same shop that did the previous work?

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90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE 104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff