how much could I be looking at for repair on this. With only 119K on the engine I would like to fix this if it is reasonable. Thanks......Nate


My 91 300SE is still a sewing machine at 161K today !

That's a rarity. Why did you use "piston"? Is there more to this tale?

I am thinking of buying it from a couple. It is a good looking car but the guy said the mechanic used the word "piston" and bad compression ??

If it indeed is only the piston (or indeed if it is the piston at all) the labor to r and r the head not including any work such as a valve job and or valves guides or springs, nor chain and or chain guides is from 750 to 1500 depending on labor rates.

Then there are the cost of the piston(s).

If you can get it cheaply it might be a good deal. The bottom end on benzes is extremely robust and broken pistons are very very rare. Its most unlikely unless a valve broke off and holed it or the cam chain broke and valves impacted the pistons in mass.

If any of those things occurred a good used engine is probably the way to go.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Never heard of a broken piston on a 103 motor.

Hardly ever see compression problems, but they are usually valves.

A proper professional solution to a piston problem will be about as much as the car is worth. A proper overhall would easily cost over $4000. Disassembly and reassembly will cost from 30-40 hours depending on whether you do anything once inside. It of course would be silly to buy those hours and do nothing so the upper limit is more logical. I know a gas station that charges $50 an hour. I doubt they would be foolish enough to do a MB, but it happens all the time. After all motor overhaul is about the easiest of mechanical jobs.

The economic solution for your described problem is a used motor. Done under a shade tree, it could be handled for less than a grand, possibly.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

It does sound ODD that a "piston" would be broken. So am I to understand that this may be a more simple issue. The car can also be driven which is strange. I appologize for not including this tidbit earilier.

It could be simpler or worse.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Duly noted