220E Coupe Head Gasket + various

[Merclad]

Hi everyone,

Found a decent condition 220E Coupe that had a very very small amount of white oily residue under the oil filler cap. There was no froth in the coolant and no white smoke/ smell of oil on the exhaust etc.

First of all, does it sound like the gasket? Apart from the pressure test, is there any other 'tell tale' signs? Mileage is approaching 132k although it has a comprehensive MB history.

You've probably seen this question a thousand times before, but can anyone give me an approximate cost to replace/ skim head if it came to it? Any advice would be really appreciated. I'm certainly not experienced enough to do this work myself - so would go to an independent.

Two other things I noticed were a tight bonnet release catch and the footbrake failed to engage at the end of my test drive. I assume these are simple fixes - but any info would be really appreciated

 

[television]

If the car has been run on mineral oil then it would be normal to have a small deposit in the cap of white looking sludge. Any water in the oil can be seen as droplets of water on the dip stick . I would keep an eye on the water leval for now to be sure, its like reading a medical book and you find you have everything wrong.

With the bonnet catch, the lever often needs to be pushed back once it has been pulled to open it. this will normally solve it.

The foot parking brake could be anything from a sticking pawl.

Malcolm

 

[Merclad]

Cheers Malcolm. Assuming worst case scenario, any ideas of potential cost here? I suppose its a case of how long is a piece of string, but anyone replaced one on the 220E?

When the gasket went on my 190E 2.0, it was approx £300. I'd assume it to cost more on the 220 unit being bigger etc.

The gasket itself is a reasonable item to replace, but is there a particular brand that is more durable perhaps? I've seen GSF and Eberspacher (?? probably got that wrong??) Any recc's.................just in case!

 

[Scop]

My head gasket has just cost me £850 (600 for gasket plus 250 for skimming)

 

[big x]

My head gasket has just cost me £850 (600 for gasket plus 250 for skimming)

Scop, did you have an oil leak or oil in the coolent ?

thanx

adam

 

[Scop]

Hi Big X

Er not sure really. I just ended up with lots of white smoke and no coolant. It all happened pretty suddenly. Theres a run down of the saga in my 'Engine Troubles' post. Its running fine now, time to start saving for the wiring loom !

 

[big x]

Hi Big X

Er not sure really. I just ended up with lots of white smoke and no coolant. It all happened pretty suddenly. Theres a run down of the saga in my 'Engine Troubles' post. Its running fine now, time to start saving for the wiring loom !

The reason I ask is my E320 is same year and mileage as yours and it's on the original gasket and wiring loom.I think I'm going to sell it before something happens! Either of those events would be a write off for a car worth circa £1k.
White smoke..yep blown head gasket and a warped head.

adam

 

[300ad]

I have been considering this job on a 300HE the main cost seems to be labour, so you might want to look for someone who will do the job as a 'foreigner'.Scop's post re head skimming prices worried me so I rang my local place and they quoted 30 quid, perhaps your engine is more complicated to do though.
Ad

 

[Merclad]

I have been considering this job on a 300HE the main cost seems to be labour, so you might want to look for someone who will do the job as a 'foreigner'.Scop's post re head skimming prices worried me so I rang my local place and they quoted 30 quid, perhaps your engine is more complicated to do though.
Ad

Yes - best to get a quote at my local indie or trusted mechanic and see what they think. Seems that prices for this job vary quite a lot - but obviously want it to be done properly. Cheers everyone