Ok I am biting the bullet and replacing the headgasket on my 1987 190E 2.3 78,000 miles. I have a slow oil leak, but lately I am noticing more oil on ground than usual. Plus it is getting all over the bottom of car, etc. So according to mechanic I need new head gasket. Now my question is with this year and miles should I have anything else done while the car is apart in that area? I have been reading the board and it looks like timing belt tensioners might be one thing? But I figure while its in should anything else be looked at? thanks

Not real familiar with the wear trends on your particular motor, but I would have your mechanic inspect the timing chain and tensioners.

Since the head is off, look at the valve guides and valve stem seals too.

Make sure the new gasket has the copper lining.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

I bought a used 91 300e which had the head gasket replaced in 1995, at about 75,000 miles. The car now has 120,000 miles and burns a lot of oil. I expect it will need to have the valve seals/guides done, but I was wondering how long the 1995 head gasket repair should last, since nothing lasts forever. Thanks

RICHARD - IF YOU ARE GOING TO REPLACE SEALS AND OR GUIDES, THEN CONCERN ABOUT HEAD GASKET LONGEVITY IS A MUTE POINT. THE HEAD'S COMING OFF IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE GUIDES, SO THE HG WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.

Thanks, I never really understood that before, thought the head gasket was lower down. Could you ballpark the labor time for the complete job, as I assume gasket/seals are cheap compared to the time. Thanks

I had mine replaced when i had my valves done at 75k, my mechanic said it would last about another 75k. Im now at 149k. Lets hope everything holds!

Hi,

If you are pulling the head, do the complete job -- valves, seals, etc. Cheaper to do it now.

Personal experience speaking.

Regards,