anyone know a good MB mechanic around Vallejo (CA) area,

my C280 is leaking oil from the cilinders head gasket,

a see from the theads that my problem is pretty normal on
high mileage MB, anyone know how much $$$$ this repair
will cost ?

thanx to averybody!!!!!!!

 

Costs around $800. There's lots of labor to it.

 

Where is Vallejo? Is that northern or southern cali? What area code? Maybe that would help us locate a good place for ya.

 

Expect to pay more like $1,400.

I have the same engine you do (M104), but 3.2 liters instead of 2.8 liters.

The job is basically all labor, so when you have the head off, you might as well spend an extra $200 and have new valve guides and valve seals installed, as well as having the head checked for straightness. This will probably be the last time the head is ever off the car, and it would be a shame to have to remove the head to replace leaking valve guides in the future.

Further, the new headgaskets are improved with steel inserts to prevent leaking. I have been assured by the dealer and several mechanics that the new gaskets do not leak.

Also, if you have a 1994 or 1995 C280, you likely have a bad engine wiring harness. You might have replaced it already, but symptoms of a bad harness emerge after a head gasket replacement because the engine wiring harness is moved out of the way, causing the wire insulation to flake off.

Last, when the engine is put back together, have your mechanic replace your three (3) coil wire boots. The connection between the boot and the wire usually goes bad when the wires are pulled. They are $7 each, and it'll be the best $21 you ever spent.

Good luck.

 

Vallejo is in the Bay Area in Nor. Cal.

Here is a thread with some good recommendations in your area:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...&highlight=cal

 

thanx for the input.................


1994 C280 , 187000 Ml. and still goimg strong...........
even with the head gasket leaking.

 

You have 187,000 miles on the original head gasket?

Wow! I think you may have set a record.

My engine had 137,000 miles when I had to replace my head gasket and I was told by many MB technicians that it was the longest they had ever seen an engine go on the original gasket.

If your oil leak is not that bad, you can let it go, but it will get incrementally worse pretty rapidly. Mine eventually leaked so bad that oil was not just leaking, oil was pooling on my garage floor. The side of the engine block and exhaust manifold got so covered in oil that it would smoke from the oil burning off of the metal.

When I took the car in, the mechanic put the car on the rack, and the whole undercarriage of the car, including the whole exhaust system and cat. converter was covered in wet oil.

Do you know if your engine wiring harness is original?

 

I only got 45,000 miles out of my head gasket. I was told this was normal because of the factory defect. You all seem lucky to be getting over 100,000 mile out of yours.

 

the engine wiring harness still the original.......

after little reserch i'm going to try with thick multigrade oil,
just for now ,then i'm chechig the mechanic reference ( the Benicia one ).
i will not give my mb to the first jack a.. mechanic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by the way , i hate set the record .