300HE head gasket prob (any good)

[300ad]

Hello all,
I am at present a saab owner but have been offered a merc 300HE (for free) with one owner, G reg 200,000 straight 6 petrol and a blown head gasket (there had to be a catch). Having no experience with these cars I was looking for a little advice, Firstly, is it worth having fixed? If you what type of cost would I be looking at and are there likely to be other potential problems or bits I should replace at the same time.
thank you in advance for your advice

 

[television]

Hello all,
but have been offered a merc 300HE (for free) with one owner,

What are you going to do with the owner, is it female ?


Back to the car, here is a link for you to read about the work that's involved.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/M104HeadGasket

Malcolm

 

[Richard Moakes]

One of that age will have an M103 fitted, simpler than M104, but just as prone to head gasket issues.

At 200K, well I would be looking to refurb the head, new valve guides and seals etc... bottom end will still be fine, you might also need new hydraulic valve lifters and injectors by now, so it's going to cost a fair bit to sort it out.

Mind you, once done, you will be set for another 100K easy.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[300ad]

thanks for the information, the head looks possible at a reasonable price but does anyone an opinion on whether the water pump and radiotor need to be changed at the same time?

 

[television]

It is not normal to change the rad and water pump through head gaskit failure.

Malcolm

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

also check your oil cooler in the radiator hasn't gone and let gunk into the system if you're only getting sludge in your coolant. I thought I had a blown head gasket in my old 300E though I had no other symptoms- turned out to be the oil cooler leaking.

 

[300ad]

Thanks for all the information, I've decided to do the job a found a mechanic who will do the job in his own time but charge a lot less than usual. could anyone advice me as to which head gasket kit to use would merc original be the only way to go or would other makes / suppliers be able to supply parts of sufficient quality?
cheers

 

[television]

Thanks for all the information, I've decided to do the job a found a mechanic who will do the job in his own time but charge a lot less than usual. could anyone advice me as to which head gasket kit to use would merc original be the only way to go or would other makes / suppliers be able to supply parts of sufficient quality?
cheers

GSF and Euro Car Parts have been around a long time, nothing wrong with them.

Malcolm

 

[300ad]

I'll give em a ring
will report back on my progress...TBC

 

[300ad]

Well she is back on the road!
It took a lot of hours (about 18) but she is now running perfectly.
I replaced head gasket (obviously) rocker cover gasket, timing chain and guides, radiator, top and bottom hoses plus distributor gap, plugs and the rest of the service things. It cost £350 in parts and £200 labour so all in all a good deal I think, fingers crossed! There's now just the small matter of a buzzing every few seconds form the rear of the car.