I called my local MB dealer, and they said to get the head off and grind the valves, etc, it would cost me in the ballpark of $3-3500! Now thats more then I paid for the car, and Im not so sure I want to go that way... I can reflush the coolant over and over, and replace oil more often for a LONG while for $3500.

Does anyone have an idea what they have paid for head jobs? Im calling the local european independent, theyll give me a price as well. I was hoping maybe $1000-1500 or so (my mothers plymouth costed $800 for a 4cyl head gasket and all belts replaced at the dealer).

Also, would someone mind running down with me the signs of a bad head gasket? Also, give me a little discription of what good, clean MB antifreeze should look like?

Finally, is the radiator ONLY for engine coolant, or is some of the capacity in it, the bottom perhaps, for example, used to cool oil, ATF, etc? I know I read one time that some radiators have a section in the bottom for cooling other fluids.

Many thanks

JMH

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)