Coolant leak.. $3000+ job??
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
I was loosing coolant (got warnings maybe every other week, topping off to max). Also no signs on the ground etc. And then I figured out it was the o-ring in the thermostat housing. Some a**hole has torn the o-ring while installing the t-stat.
Did you check there? Though I'm pretty sure your mechanic did, but who knows...
Did you check there? Though I'm pretty sure your mechanic did, but who knows...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
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2002 c230 Kompressor
well labor constitutes to most of the cost, you take the heads out, clean and inspect them, get a new OEM gasket, and put the heads back. Obviously it's not as simple as an oil change or a brake job...i watched my guys change my head gasket and it takes time if you want a clean job.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/OEM-Mercedes-...item23125f0623
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Victor-Reinz-...item43a9be891a
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...3-1618459.html
I'll tell my mechanic that I will order the part myself, which will be $100 with shipping, and then just pay him the labour.
If it is around 10-12 hours as he says, at about $65, then I will be paying less than a grand for the labour too!
I think I am going to try the Rislone stuff from Canadian Tire that I posted a link earlier to first and see if it fixes the seal.
Last edited by wond3r; Oct 11, 2011 at 10:17 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yes but you would be missing some useful gaskets & O rings that come in the full head gasket change kit that you get from people like RMeuropean at $113. You probably should do a cambox cover gasket as well. If it was my car I would have the valves reseated & change valve stem seals as well. It depends how long you intend keeping the car.
10 to 12 hours is more than enough time for the job.
10 to 12 hours is more than enough time for the job.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
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2002 c230 Kompressor
Yes but you would be missing some useful gaskets & O rings that come in the full head gasket change kit that you get from people like RMeuropean at $113. You probably should do a cambox cover gasket as well. If it was my car I would have the valves reseated & change valve stem seals as well. It depends how long you intend keeping the car.
10 to 12 hours is more than enough time for the job.
10 to 12 hours is more than enough time for the job.
So you suggest I get this..
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._7A6BBB7A.aspx
And what else from that web site? I was having trouble finding the rest of what you suggested
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yes - thats it
And this:
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._7A6BBB7A.aspx
& 4 sets of these if you decide to do valves.
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._54299047.aspx
It always cheaper buying these things in kits than individually.
I'll bet the dealer wants the price of a whole kit just for the exhaust manifold/header gaskets.
And this:
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._7A6BBB7A.aspx
& 4 sets of these if you decide to do valves.
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._54299047.aspx
It always cheaper buying these things in kits than individually.
I'll bet the dealer wants the price of a whole kit just for the exhaust manifold/header gaskets.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Oct 12, 2011 at 08:07 AM.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
well labor constitutes to most of the cost, you take the heads out, clean and inspect them, get a new OEM gasket, and put the heads back. Obviously it's not as simple as an oil change or a brake job...i watched my guys change my head gasket and it takes time if you want a clean job.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
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From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
Usually head gaskets leak inward. Why do they think an outward leak is a head gasket? Can they see the trail of antiF down the side of the block? Did any of them do a radiator pressure test? They apply pressure to the radiator with an external device and the coolant leak should show up. Before you spend the money, get them to show you EXACTLY where the leak is. If it comes from the head joint, so be it. Even then, did you ever have the head re-torqued? Unless, as others have said, there is white smoke and no puddles, I wouldn't be so fast to do the gsket job. With a pint a month you should be able to see the leak.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 544
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From: Los Angeles, CA
05.C230K.SS
Yep. I vwent in to the shop because my check engine light and coolant level light were on simultaneously. There was no external leaks whatsoever, and I had continued driving the car for a week or so. First I did an oil change. Then I found out that there was coolant and engine oil being drained at the same time. I checked and the coolant reservoir was almost emptied. So the guys did a compression leak test, and white smoke was coming out of the exhaust. In the end, i had to get a new head gasket and o-rings. It wasn't the parts that was expensive. It was labor. That has probably been the biggest job on my car thus far.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
05.C230K.SS
You would most definitely be surprised. I got it brand new off the lot in 05, and I garaged it when I was in high school, so i wana say 10k when it happened? From this expensive job, Ive come to realize that cars are not meant to sit and not move. 
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 506
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From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
3000 bucks for a HG change??? Seriously??? 
Parts, even with the shop mark-up, are probably 200 bucks at the most. So..., that leaves 2800+ bucks for labor??? 
At reasonable shop rates that is, what, almost 40 hours???
In comparison, BMW straight six HG change is 1000-1500 bucks. Haven't needed it in my 330i because the cooling system has been kept up to date, but that's what the going rate seems to be.
Parts, even with the shop mark-up, are probably 200 bucks at the most. So..., that leaves 2800+ bucks for labor??? At reasonable shop rates that is, what, almost 40 hours??? In comparison, BMW straight six HG change is 1000-1500 bucks. Haven't needed it in my 330i because the cooling system has been kept up to date, but that's what the going rate seems to be.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Yep, a friend's 01 330i made it to something like 207,000 miles without needing the HG change. The new owner did it for a total of $1500. Seems strange the M111 would need more.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Yup, most likely if you look at the 4th cylinder, side of the head on the exhaust side, you will see some white residue from the leak.
My mechanics advise?
Keep driving it till it actually fails.
I 1st noticed it like 30K miles ago and it still runs fine.
I put a little coolant in every couple thousand miles, and just keeo going.
Yeah, it's an expensive job.
See here
http://www.kokes.net/slk/Engine_head...ead_remove.htm
I have contemplated doing it myself, but I'd like some help from someone who's done a
DOC before. And there's the "while you're in there stuff" like water pump, thermostat etc.
Maybe some hoses.
I have everything except a few parts.
But wtf? I runs fine so F' it.
Just to break it down, Thermostat is about 50, water pump around 250, gasket set around 150.
And then machine shop to lap the valves and plane the head, well, I'm not sure.
Maybe $400-500?
So maybe $1000 for the parts.
Then there's the approx 16 hours of labor required.
Ben Kokes said it took it a solid 8 hours to get the head off.
Putting stuff back together always takes longer.
My mechanics advise?
Keep driving it till it actually fails.
I 1st noticed it like 30K miles ago and it still runs fine.
I put a little coolant in every couple thousand miles, and just keeo going.
Yeah, it's an expensive job.
See here
http://www.kokes.net/slk/Engine_head...ead_remove.htm
I have contemplated doing it myself, but I'd like some help from someone who's done a
DOC before. And there's the "while you're in there stuff" like water pump, thermostat etc.
Maybe some hoses.
I have everything except a few parts.
But wtf? I runs fine so F' it.
Just to break it down, Thermostat is about 50, water pump around 250, gasket set around 150.
And then machine shop to lap the valves and plane the head, well, I'm not sure.
Maybe $400-500?
So maybe $1000 for the parts.
Then there's the approx 16 hours of labor required.
Ben Kokes said it took it a solid 8 hours to get the head off.
Putting stuff back together always takes longer.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Oct 13, 2011 at 12:27 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
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C230 Sport Kompressor
Same problem
I have the exact same problem right now. Coolant Low warning came on, took it to Mercedes, they said Cylinder Head Gasket $3900. My car has 172,000 miles on it, and I doubt if it's even really worth $5000 now. However, my daughter is 19 and LOVES the car. It still looks amazing, but just doesnt run the same, nevertheless she loves it. I am trying to debate if I wanna put that kind of money into repairs. Of course the labor is what is the big piece of this. I'd rather trade it and get something else for her. It's time for her to have her own car. I have been calling around to other approved foreign auto shops for quotes.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
The m111 2.3L Kompressor motor has a problem with coolant leakage at the # 4 cylinder.
Mine's been leaking for over 50K miles, and I just add a little coolant every once in a while.
Now at 207K miles, and not really worth bothering with the gasket alone since an entire engine with < 100K miles can be had for under a grand.
You'll see some white residue leaking down the side of the engine.
Good news, it just seems to push out the side and not into the engine.
It mostly seems to leak on heat up and cool down.
Yes, it's an expensive job, about 16 hours of labor + parts, +
the "while you're in there" stuff, like thermostat, new head bolts etc.
I'm just waiting for the 2002's to start showing up at the pick and pull, where ALL engines sell for $150.
They had a 2001 C320 recently so it won't be long!!!
Mine's been leaking for over 50K miles, and I just add a little coolant every once in a while.
Now at 207K miles, and not really worth bothering with the gasket alone since an entire engine with < 100K miles can be had for under a grand.
You'll see some white residue leaking down the side of the engine.
Good news, it just seems to push out the side and not into the engine.
It mostly seems to leak on heat up and cool down.
Yes, it's an expensive job, about 16 hours of labor + parts, +
the "while you're in there" stuff, like thermostat, new head bolts etc.
I'm just waiting for the 2002's to start showing up at the pick and pull, where ALL engines sell for $150.
They had a 2001 C320 recently so it won't be long!!!
2002 Mercedes c230, auto, about 120,000 km on it.
We have recently gotten low coolant warnings, bought zerex and topped it up and the warning would eventually come back (within the month).
Pop the hood and there was less coolant and had to be topped up. The weird part is that there is no coolant on the ground on the driveway ever. So we just keep a bottle of Zerex in the trunk and top up whenever we need to.
Took it to a few different shops and they all said the same thing, something about a gasket that wuold cost $4000+ to replace.
Took it to our local/family mechanic and he raised the car and removed some sort of plastic housing from the engine and there was a bunch of coolant in it that just poured out. I guess there was no leaks on the ground because the plastic was holding it in. He also said it was a gasket issue and said he would help us out but it would be about $3000 (always helps us with prices) and looked the labour time up and it read about 10-12 hours.
Has anyone heard of this issue? I just called to confirm was he said, and he said it was clear to see the head gasket is leaking, and he will take another look to see if there is anything else.
Would a head gasket leak cause the coolant to be leaking gradually? There is no other issue with the car as far as its actual ride.
Also is a head gasket this time of price to fix?
(Canada)
Thank you
We have recently gotten low coolant warnings, bought zerex and topped it up and the warning would eventually come back (within the month).
Pop the hood and there was less coolant and had to be topped up. The weird part is that there is no coolant on the ground on the driveway ever. So we just keep a bottle of Zerex in the trunk and top up whenever we need to.
Took it to a few different shops and they all said the same thing, something about a gasket that wuold cost $4000+ to replace.
Took it to our local/family mechanic and he raised the car and removed some sort of plastic housing from the engine and there was a bunch of coolant in it that just poured out. I guess there was no leaks on the ground because the plastic was holding it in. He also said it was a gasket issue and said he would help us out but it would be about $3000 (always helps us with prices) and looked the labour time up and it read about 10-12 hours.
Has anyone heard of this issue? I just called to confirm was he said, and he said it was clear to see the head gasket is leaking, and he will take another look to see if there is anything else.
Would a head gasket leak cause the coolant to be leaking gradually? There is no other issue with the car as far as its actual ride.
Also is a head gasket this time of price to fix?
(Canada)
Thank you
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 33
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From: Victoria BC
2007 C280
I had the head gasket and various belts replaced on my 2002 C230K at the MB dealership in Victoria BC for $1374...seems like a steal compared to the various posts in this thread! The car had ~90000 kms or ~54000 miles on it.
Last edited by coopershawk; Dec 7, 2013 at 10:46 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
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2005 C230 Kompressor
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 21
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2002 C230 Kompressor
Is there a way to check this is happening WITHOUT taking the whole damn engine apart?
If I flush coolant periodically, I can prevent this? It's horrible. can't image this happening to my car ..
If I flush coolant periodically, I can prevent this? It's horrible. can't image this happening to my car ..
