Not Cat, Head Gasket

[Hanz]

I think it's time to disown this car.

It wasn't the CAT that's gone, it's the head gasket that's leaking oil. Another £800 + job the garage said, every month I'm spending more than I should on a W124.

Is my best bet to sell this car?

It's a W124 93 Estate E280 with 191,000 miles on the clock.

The last bill for it was £600-700, incl service, new ECU and loom repaired. That was last month.

What do you think?

 

[stumpy]

That's a tough one. You won't get much for it, and I reckon it would cost you more than 800 quid extra to get something else decent. Maybe you could get yourself into a younger 124 for a couple of grand. Must be one hell of an oil leak to be dripping onto the exhaust. Are you going to get a second opinion on this? From my experience, at this age it won't just be a head gasket, but other items will have worn too and need replacing. My old Scooby needed both head gaskets done and the dealer said the bill normally starts with a 4. And that's not hundreds. I managed to sell the car, but got 2 grand less than it was actually worth. Good luck with it.

 

[Hanz]

Thanks for the reply.

Well I've just spoken to the other half about it, he said he would be able to strip the engine and do it for me. He's currently working on his other 124 with the same problem! Hopefully with a strip down other areas that might need attention will show up?

I don't want to get rid of her really, because I will be loosing money (already am!) and then theres the search of finding something else that might have problems lurking too.

I'd rather it was the cat right now!

Fed up at the moment. I hate being without a car!

 

[stumpy]

I know how you feel. Of all the cars I own it is this one which gives me the most pleasure and I'll do anything to keep her on the road.