My C230 is just about to turn 300,000 miles but the head gasket appears to be leaking. Coolant was disappearing with no visible signs of leakage. I pulled the plugs and number 4 had some white crystal like stuff on it. I picked up a block tester and did the test and sure enough there was hydrocarbons coming through the coolant. My next step is to pull the head off and send it out to a machine shop and have it checked for any cracks and then skimmed. Does anyone know of a machine shop in the central or southern NJ area that can do this kind of work on a Mercedes?

Surely someone can recommend a machine shop in nj

Why don't you go to the "Recommended Shops" on this forum? I'm sure there are listing for NJ.
Anziani
'95 E420 132K
'97 Cl500 146K

Call your nearest dealer and find out who they use. They should have a list of MB approved shops.

Thanks for your suggestions. I've checked the recommended shops but unless I've overlooked something they appear to be repair shops not machine shops. I will try the dealers although they never give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

NAPA in Red Bank did my M104 head. I supplied Mercedes valve seals. They were recommended by a high end foreign shop in Fairhaven who was recommended by a Little Silver Mercedes dealer mechanic.

IDM, RT9 West Creek did a OM603 and Saab turbo head. Going to give them another 603 head.

__________________

Present
1987 300SDL
1991 300SL
1990 560SEL
2001 ML320

Past
1969 200D 1979-82
1983 300SD 1984-85
1972 250C 1982-02
1995 S350 2011
1997 S320 2012

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm south in LBI, I'll have to check out that shop in West Creek.