Well I noticed a little oil in the coolant overflow resevoir. Does this sound like a blown head gasket? If so does anyone know an approximate cost to have this fixed? Thanks for your help, Chris.

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Chris Rogers

I just had this done and the cost at an independent was $1686. This included spark plugs, by pass hose and temp switch.

At a dealer of course, it is much much more.

Although I caught the oil in the coolant early, the tech said it was very minor so far (some cars come in with a 1/2" of oil floating), he said that doing the work ASAP was important as oil causes premature failure of rubber cooling hoses.

glenmore
1991 300CE
1990 LS400

I had the head gasket replaced in my 300E. The cost at the most expensive and experienced Mercedes dealer in the Phoenix area was $1,140 labor, $148.52 for the gasket set, $18.70 for flushing compound and $17.00 for MB anti-freeze.

These people do a head gasket a week and provide a years warranty and a free rental car.

I don't buy the idea that dealers are all that more expensive than Independents. You usually won't get what you don't pay for.

I'd find someone who does a lot of these replacements so that you can be comfortable that you won't have any more problems.

Is this a Ford or a Chevy, because prices vary?

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

$2200.00 acoording to the service records for my car, 94 E320 at an MB dealership.

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Zafar
94 E320 58000 Miles

Thanks for all your help. I have a local BENZ only mechanic I talked to this morning. He said he would replace the head gasket on Wednesday for around $800.

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Chris Rogers

This is how the repair broke down on my invoice:

Remember this is for a 24 valve M104 engine.

Parts: valve seals $67, head gasket $105, valve cover gasket $50, coolant $13, spark plugs $27, temp switch $33, hose $6.

Machine shop sublet $450, labor $910.

I can't imagine any repair at a dealer that is not done for less at your everyday indie. Shop time appears to be the same, but where the indie is charging labor at $65-$70/hour, the dealer is approaching $100/hour.

glenmore
1991 300CE