JD203

i'm just waiting for a call now when the motor arrives. i will definitely post some pics of the progress when i get a call. so i will keep updating. looking back to how i felt the first time i heard about the bad news, man that was tough. thanks to everyone at mbworld, it really helps when other people relate and u get to talk about it. anyway, stay cool everyone and thanks again for everything. peace!!

amanonfire

My shop said it would be more labour to rebuild the top end, plus the cost of sending the head out to be rebuilt for a cost of > $2K. Cheaper than an engine swap, yet I'd rather pay the extra for a low mileage engine since I was keeping the car at least another 5 years.

Mine had piston damage so the entire engine had to be replaced.

Hogger

$2K for the head to be rebuilt?!
Or is that total for the top end rebuild?

LILBENZ230

For me it would be better the devil I know.

amanonfire

Total. Head to be rebuilt was closer to $1000 if I remember correct, as I asked about having all the valves replaced since there is a newer design that isn't prone to sticking with carbon build up.

Dune

I just picked my car up, new(used 50K) engine in place and the total bill was $3610.

Breakdown:
Engine 53K miles 90 day warranty. $2300
Replace timing Chain $200
Replace Front Transmission Seal $60
Oil/Coolant/new drive belt/hoses etc $200
Labor 90 Day Warranty $850

Ronda Auto Parts in Houston done all the work.

LILBENZ230

$3610 is a pretty significant percentage of the cars overall value.

Dune

Sure it is, however the non-working value of the car was 2500-3000K, a greater % of the car's value would have been lost if I sold in a non-working condition.

I plan to keep the car another 2 years as now I only put about 10K miles a year on it and it is in great condition.

mskembo

I'd keep it longer, you now have a nice Benz with lowing miles on the engine. Become a maitnence fanatic like John, and it should last for a LONG time!

shaystudies

If godfather was alive, he'd smack u up. Dont worry too much its a car man **** happens all the time. Trust me you'll get over it very soon. Instead of getting all worked up about it look and figure out other options for yourself man. Its not the end of the world. Cheer up pal

Dune

Ok guys I am back.....

If you recall I had a used engine put in my 2005 C230 last May. I only put about 3K miles on it since May, but recently I started hearing a mechanical fluttering sound (sounds like knocking) in what seems to be the top of the engine.

The sound only occurs between 2000-3500 RPM, if you hold the accelerator down in that range you can hear the "fluttering". If you quickly rev the engine above 3500 RPM, you will hear the sound as it passes through the 2000-3500 RPM range and again when the engine decelerates back through that RPM band. At idle it does not make the fluttering or knocking sound. It sounds mechanical like it is in the engine drive train, like a cam/lifter issue, but my experience is if it was the drive train the sound would be persistent. As such, without my suggestion, my mechanic changed the cams, the timing chain and tensioner thinking this would solve the problem. The same sound is still there in the same RPM range. the engine is not missing or shaking like it is a timing issue. No engine light. It idles perfectly.

I am lost now, could it be the water pump bearings, supercharger, something external to the engine. I have no idea where to go next.