My dad bought a 1990 190e with the 2.6 for about $2100 a few months ago. It's white with a blue interior. It's in immaculate condition. Unfortunately, not long ago, it began blowing steam through the vents and overheating. My dad said he thought it was the heater core. He kept driving it and eventually the engine blew. It won't start.

This is what I'm told, and thus all I know. The car's been sitting in my driveway for a month or so and I don't have the keys to play around with it. He said I could have it if I wanted to fix it up. I'm a college student who likes fixing and playing around with things, so I figure it'd be a fun project car (my daily driver is a Saturn...it serves me well enough and gets great gas mileage, so I'm in no hurry to get this thing fixed).

Basically, from what I'm told there's a blown engine and broken heater core. I'm aware of the procedure involved with replacing the heater core (taking the dash apart, etc). I'm not worried about the labor, as I have a lot of free time on the weekends that I could work on it (and like I said, I'm in no hurry). Right now I'm wondering where I should start and about how much it would cost to get it running again.

If it was my only car, then by all means I would scrap it and get some money back. But it was free, so I might as well have a go at it. Plus, it's a really nice car that I'd love to get running again.

Thank you for any insight!

Do you WANT to do it? is the first question.

Is it financial viable? No.

If you do do it...get a used engine..... and....Always buy a NEW OE heater core.

__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

Well, I'm a very hands-on person. I'm always working on something or another. I don't mind working on cars, and in fact I enjoy it.

I feel uncomfortable buying used parts of that nature...especially those that can leak. (the core, that is...engines are fine)

Financially viable? That's what I'm wrestling with right now. Does anyone have an estimate of how much it would cost? Also, I'm willing to do any labor that I don't absolutely have to take somewhere else to get done.