How much should it cost to replace valve seals... and or guides on a 89 560 SEC. Have a serious oil consumption issue as mentioned before and I am told that I more than likely need at least valve seals and probably guides. How long will new valve seals last if that is all I replace? Help...

The question should be "why did I waste $$$ just replacing seals when I really needed guides"?

Consider the following thread....it's long. See what Autozen had to say on the 1st page.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=102977&highlight=guides+seals

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'91 300-SEL

Not to start an argument here but I'd like to share a different experience. A couple of years ago I "only" did the seals on my 103 engine - not the Guides, when I replaced the Valve Cover Seal which was bad.
There was no smoking at all, just oil consumption & blow-by. Changing the seals dramatically improved (reduced) oil consumption. That and cleaning the tiny breather hole in the Valve Cover . My 2 cents
Sorry but I don't know the answer to the Price question

If I may ask, what exactly in liters/km, or whatever unit you favour, is a 'serious' problem?

guenter

Guenter,

It is using approx 1 qt every 300 miles...

It just depends. There are some cases where valve seals can make a DRAMATIC difference. Probably the best example of this is the early 103 engines with defective seals from the factory. Replacing them with the updated ones corrected the oil usage problem entirely. With other engines you just never know.

You should start by determining that you don't have a cylinder related problem. Do this by doing a compression check or better yet, a cylinder leakdown test. If the rings are holding compression good, then give the seals a try.

Good luck,

mispost

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

that is a lot! I need to add a quart or so between oil changes during around town driving. However, I do find that my oil usage goes up to levels like you mention above if I'm driving at freeway speeds. Anyone have an idea why high speed driving would cuase this?

cheers

I was using some oil in my 88 560sl
This past winter I replaced valve seals
they were very brittle
It is amazing how much it helped I haven't added oil at all and I went 1,500
this year.
Seals do make a difference in a 17year old car with 79,000 miles
The guides had some play in them I think .004 as I remember on some????
But I felt what do I have to loose
I tryed the seals and works so far
Cheap fix

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[B]Mike Y.
00 sl500 sport
88 560 sl (sold)

89 560 SEC said: How much should it cost to replace valve seals
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You should be able to do the guides and seals at a good indie shop for somewhere in the $500 to $700 range.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

Seals - yes and maybe less than $500. Guides for $500-$700....no way. The head has to come off and then there's the machine shop work + new head gasket, etc.

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'91 300-SEL

My thanks to everyone who has replied to this post. I purchased the 560 from a guy on eBay 2 weeks ago. He lived in Boston and seemed to be honest over the phone. I bought the car for $8500 with 137000 miles. I flew to Boston and drove the car back to Dallas. The seller assured me that there would be no problem with the 1800 mile trip. Long story short I had to buy a set of tires in New York on a Saturday afternoon ( 2 were separated and 2 out of round). The car drove well but I quickly noticed the oil consumption, 1 qt every 300 miles!!!!!!!!!!!! I am trying to settle the final feedback on the purchase and the seller denies knowing about the oil problem, but says he is willing to make restitution. But how much?
Lastly can someone suggest a reputable independant shop to effect any required repairs in the Dallas, Ft. Worth market. Again Many thanks for all the replys.

Steve Katz
repairsetc@ntin.net

According to the Kelley Blue Book, you paid about double of what the car is worth. They show a 89 560SEC with 137,000 miles and the basic stuff going for about $4300. I did a cut-n-paste on what was returned below.

Go to KBB.COM and check it out yourself.

I doubt the seller didn't know the car was drinking a qt. every 300 miles. If the "low on oil" light works he had to notice it unless he was oblivious to this sort of thing, in which case he may have run the engine low on oil. Good luck with this car. You may need it.

Engine: V8 5.6 Liter
Trans: Automatic
Drive: RWD
Mileage: 137,000

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'91 300-SEL