Coolant leak.. $3000+ job??
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2002 c230 Kompressor
Coolant leak.. $3000+ job??
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
Last edited by wond3r; Oct 11, 2011 at 02:49 PM.
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
Sounds a little fishy. Typically when a head gasket goes bad, the fluid leaks into the cylinder and you burn white smoke(depending on how serious it it). Not to the outside of the block.
You have an '02 so I wouldn't think a head gasket on the I-4 would be a major job. Unless the car has overheated, then they may need to machine the surfaces flat if the head warped.
I'd be looking for a hose leak somewhere. I think there is even a way to use a blacklight with dye or something to spot a leak.
You have an '02 so I wouldn't think a head gasket on the I-4 would be a major job. Unless the car has overheated, then they may need to machine the surfaces flat if the head warped.
I'd be looking for a hose leak somewhere. I think there is even a way to use a blacklight with dye or something to spot a leak.
Last edited by Hogger; Oct 11, 2011 at 02:23 PM.
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2002 c230 Kompressor
But do the hoses reside on the inside of the plastic motor casing? I know the head gaskets are under the casing, and the leaked coolant was built up inside of the casing.
The first mechanic to mention the gasket issue said the same thing.. its weird that it happened to the car with just 120km on it
The first mechanic to mention the gasket issue said the same thing.. its weird that it happened to the car with just 120km on it
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
Here is a thread with the engine coolant diagrams.
Might give you a better idea about where to look for possible external leaks.
Might give you a better idea about where to look for possible external leaks.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Has some coolant been getting into the transmission? You might want to have that checked ASAP. Some 02s had faulty radiators that allowed glycol contamination of the transmission. That would easily be a $3000 repair, probably much more.
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From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
There are quite a few ways to check whether the head gasket is blown or not.
One is to check for milky residue under the oil filler cap. That indicates that there is coolant in the oil.
One is to check for milky residue under the oil filler cap. That indicates that there is coolant in the oil.
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
No, you probably won't see any differences in performance. Only if you have A LOT of coolant going into the cylinder, you will burn white smoke.
I had this happen on an old Toyota, and smoke screened people on the road getting to the shop.
I had this happen on an old Toyota, and smoke screened people on the road getting to the shop.
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2002 c230 Kompressor
Do any products work to seal it if it is indeed a head gasket leak?
Something like Steel Seal?
This 3 grand will hurt
edit:
I wonder if I should give this a shot in the mean time? ..
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoRepairAccessories/SpecialtyRepair/PRDOVR~0380847P/Rislone+Head+Gasket+Fix.jsp?locale=en
The reviews are good on it, and it says its compatible with aluminum heads.
the actual product website - http://www.rislone.ca/31111.htm
Do you think its worth the $40?
Use it, top off the coolant, and then monitor the level of the coolant over the next month or two?
If the coolant isnt decreasing like it has been, then its worked, even temporarily . If its still decreasing then we will do the repair?
It wont hurt to try it out, right
There is also one that is cheaper and more specific here that says its aluminum-
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/AutoFluidsChemicals/EngineTreatments/PRD~0380845P/Rislone+Liquid+Aluminum+Cooling+System%2BRadiator+ Stop+Leak.jsp?locale=en
manufacturer page for it - http://www.rislone.ca/31186.htm
Its $10
I think the $40 might be more worth while between those two
Something like Steel Seal?
This 3 grand will hurt
edit:
I wonder if I should give this a shot in the mean time? ..
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoRepairAccessories/SpecialtyRepair/PRDOVR~0380847P/Rislone+Head+Gasket+Fix.jsp?locale=en
The reviews are good on it, and it says its compatible with aluminum heads.
the actual product website - http://www.rislone.ca/31111.htm
Do you think its worth the $40?
Use it, top off the coolant, and then monitor the level of the coolant over the next month or two?
If the coolant isnt decreasing like it has been, then its worked, even temporarily . If its still decreasing then we will do the repair?
It wont hurt to try it out, right
There is also one that is cheaper and more specific here that says its aluminum-
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/AutoFluidsChemicals/EngineTreatments/PRD~0380845P/Rislone+Liquid+Aluminum+Cooling+System%2BRadiator+ Stop+Leak.jsp?locale=en
manufacturer page for it - http://www.rislone.ca/31186.htm
Its $10
I think the $40 might be more worth while between those two
Last edited by wond3r; Oct 11, 2011 at 04:45 PM.
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From: Chico, CA
S55K AMG
Performance is usually effected as the compression ratio is lowered, in most instances. Typically, you would start to see overheating issues under throttle, as well as white smoke. There should be a white milky residue when removing the oil cap. A combustion leak tester will reveal if there is exhaust gases in your coolant.
The fix for a blown head gasket, is to replace the head gasket, don't use band aid fixes as water does not compress and can lead to a major catastrophic failure, that ultimately can be well beyond the $3k that you are looking at currently.
The fix for a blown head gasket, is to replace the head gasket, don't use band aid fixes as water does not compress and can lead to a major catastrophic failure, that ultimately can be well beyond the $3k that you are looking at currently.
Last edited by boost420; Oct 11, 2011 at 05:04 PM.
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W203
wond3r, if your head gasket is leaking then you should invest the time and money to fix it, as it will only get worse and the repair even more expensive. You'll be looking at $7K to swap an engine if it gets worse.
The other alternative is to trade it in for a new car. Top up the coolant and hope the dealership doesn't notice. I don't recommend this approach, yet if you're tight on cash this could be an option worth pursuing.
I agree with others that the repair shouldn't be $3K, find a cheaper independent mechanic. It should be < 10 hrs to remove the head and the same to replace it, so even at $100/hr you're < $2K. The only way it'll cost more if is the block is warped. Even if the head is warped and needs machining it shouldn't cost $3K.
The other alternative is to trade it in for a new car. Top up the coolant and hope the dealership doesn't notice. I don't recommend this approach, yet if you're tight on cash this could be an option worth pursuing.
I agree with others that the repair shouldn't be $3K, find a cheaper independent mechanic. It should be < 10 hrs to remove the head and the same to replace it, so even at $100/hr you're < $2K. The only way it'll cost more if is the block is warped. Even if the head is warped and needs machining it shouldn't cost $3K.
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2002 c230 Kompressor
Actually I've only went to independent mechanics about this.
How much is the part alone?
The lower quote of $3000 was my family mechanic and he lowers the labour to about $65 for us.
edit :
Is one of these the part?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/OEM-Mercedes-...item23125f0623
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Victor-Reinz-...item43a9be891a
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...3-1618459.html
Does the gasket itself HAVE to be bought from MB? Would one of those ebay OEM ones be just as good?
If so, I could just order the part myself, give it to him, and only pay the labour?
How much is the part alone?
The lower quote of $3000 was my family mechanic and he lowers the labour to about $65 for us.
edit :
Is one of these the part?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/OEM-Mercedes-...item23125f0623
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Victor-Reinz-...item43a9be891a
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...3-1618459.html
Does the gasket itself HAVE to be bought from MB? Would one of those ebay OEM ones be just as good?
If so, I could just order the part myself, give it to him, and only pay the labour?
Last edited by wond3r; Oct 11, 2011 at 05:26 PM.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
My .02...
Yea, it's hard to justify a repair bill that is such a high percentage of the value of the car. If the head gasket is leaking only outside the block you won't notice any white smoke/coolant out the tailpipe or brown sludge in your oil. That's a good thing. It also won't hurt your performance as long as coolant is kept topped up. Usually they leak internally and the only fix is to replace the head gasket. Since this is only external (??) I would go for a stop leak product but be sure to dump your coolant once/if the leak is repaired. If it doesn't work within a week I'd dump it anyway. Those products are blamed for gumming up more than the intended leak so don't keep it in there longer than necessary. If it works you'll save a bundle of $$ and if it doesn't you'll just be back where you started. I think it's worth taking the chance in this case. It's rare that a head gasket only leaks externally.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
M111 engines are inclined to develop head gasket leaks at the rear. Ask C230 Sport Coup as an example. Frequently they don't leak into the combustion chamber. Get an indicator strip to look for combustion gases in the coolant.
$3000 is high for head gasket replacement. It's is presumably due to high US/Canada labour rates.
$3000 is high for head gasket replacement. It's is presumably due to high US/Canada labour rates.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Oct 11, 2011 at 07:45 PM.
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W203
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
You may want to try one of the forum advertisers. I was just reading their banner ad. Steel Seal. "Repair blown head gaskets with no disassembly".
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W203
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05.C230K.SS
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.
