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Old 01-18-2006, 02:12 AM
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'86 190E 2.3 -Engine: Possible Head Gasket?

Hey Guys:
I am new to the forums, but not to MB. Have been collecting for a few years now, but never had a big question like this. I am hoping I can get some feedback from a MB Tech. Here is the story (short version).

I have a 1986 190E, which before I go any further, I will say, we keep the car more for sentimental reasons than practicality. LOL! Anyway, over the past couple years, we have put alot of money into the car, basically gettting it into tip top shape both mechanically and looks wise. Spent maybe $3k or so.

Now, I notice I am losing coolant after a week or two of driving. not alot of miles, so it is a fairly prominent problem. From what I can tell, since there are no visible coolant leaks, I am pretty sure the head gasket may be bad, and losing the coolant thru the exaust, etc. So here is the question:

My mech wants to put another motor in the car..for $1800 or so. Isn't it alot chaper just to change the head gasket? I think the reasoning is because the car has 200k miles on it, that a younger engine may be better. but I dont really want to drop $1800 if I dont need to...any feedback would be great.
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Old 01-18-2006, 03:37 AM
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$1800 sounds cheap, especially if it includes the engine. I don't know where you are located, but here in Hawaii, the going rate for a valve/head job is around $2000.
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  #3  
Old 01-18-2006, 08:02 AM
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Exclamation

Replacing the head gasket is somewhat a simple job on the 2.3 8V motor.
Factory time is 7-8 hrs & all of the needed gaskets/parts should run $150-200
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  #4  
Old 01-18-2006, 08:23 AM
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Took me 5-6 hours on the first 8V I did and 4-5 on the next. Pretty straight forward job on an 8V.
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1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....
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Old 01-18-2006, 05:46 PM
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Thanks for the feedback guys. So I am guessing if it really is the head gasket, then why should I drop $1800 to have another engine put in? When I could have them replace the head gasket for about a grand right? by the way, used engines are in good supply local to me, since I live close to a large MB recycle place, who has a ton of 190's crashed and such. But still, if I can have it fixed and running better for a grand instead of $1800, would be nice.

Also to do the head gasket job, would it also be a given that they do the valves too? or not? Sorry to sound like a newbe, but I have not worked on the MB cars yet, aside from minor maintenance. I have not been able to find any books or anything.
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  #6  
Old 01-18-2006, 10:53 PM
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You may be jumping the gun on needing a head gasket. I thought the same but discoved antifreeze fluid drip down side of transmission. Turned out to be leak wher heater hose goes into the dash radiator. You get to it by taking off the window trim just under the windshield wiper.
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