Mechanic needed!!

[Tallulah]

Hi

Does anyone know of a good Mercedes mechanic in South London? My car is over heating and making a clacking noise, which I'm told by friends is the head gasket.

Mine is a B reg 230 CE - not worth a lot in monetary value, but of huge sentimental value. I don't want to part with it, but niether do I want to pour money into it needlessly. What can anyone suggest?? :-(

 

[Unleashed]

Head gaskets you can do by yourself, it's a hell of a job though - about 4 hours or more if you're not good mechanically.
But you don't need a Mercedes mechanic, any old workshop will be able to do the job easily.

 

[Tallulah]

Thanks for that - def NOT a mechanic though....any idea of the cost?? Car is only worth £1000 and the electric rear quarter light doesn't work either....

 

[Unleashed]

I would take a guess at maybe £200, but it may go either way. Just ask for a quote from any local garage, they should be able to tell you over the phone how much it'll roughly cost.
If possible, ask friends etc. for recommendations in your local area, MBs hourly rate is extortionate (something along the lines of £93 an hour!), but through a friends recommendation I now use a garage that charge £25 an hour.
Just one thing though, try not to drive it when it's in this state, as you'll warp the head. As it is, you would do well by having your head skimmed right before the gasket change, or perhaps even after. It'll stop your head cracking and potentially destroying your engine.

 

[tom7035]

Good advice from Unleashed, but definitely have the head skimmed before replacing (and perhaps a valve-grind and relacement of valve-stem oil seals?) or it's money 'down the drain'. Cheers.