Mechanic says 300TE is done but runs well?
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
Mechanic says 300TE is done but runs well?
He says the smog test shows all emission levels are high and cannot be adjusted to pass. He says it needs major work i.e. valve job or rings and is not worth the value of the car. Ironically after smoking and hard starting, it runs "good" 
It has over 200k and I just replaced all the tune up parts and O2 sensor so I was hoping it would pass. I thought worse case it would need a cat.
This is my dad's second car so I'm considering doing the valve /HG myself or pay a home mechanic who may do it for under $1k. I considered replacing the valve seals but read the mileage should be under 150k. It may be time to "practice" since my wife's '91 is starting to consume oil...
It has over 200k and I just replaced all the tune up parts and O2 sensor so I was hoping it would pass. I thought worse case it would need a cat.This is my dad's second car so I'm considering doing the valve /HG myself or pay a home mechanic who may do it for under $1k. I considered replacing the valve seals but read the mileage should be under 150k. It may be time to "practice" since my wife's '91 is starting to consume oil...
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From: So Cal
92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
Doing the Job yourself would cost somewhere near $500-$600. Around $200 for a headgasket kit, $15 for headbolts, $300 for a valve job, and another $100 or so for misc. parts. I can't imagine a home mech doing it for less than $1000. Unless you meant minus parts. I would if you were closer.
If you're going to replace the valve seals, you might as well do a full valve job. If you have the engine apart once and realize it still doesn't pass smog, you'll be smacking yourself all the way to the bank.
If you're going to replace the valve seals, you might as well do a full valve job. If you have the engine apart once and realize it still doesn't pass smog, you'll be smacking yourself all the way to the bank.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
I know there are some tricks to passing (aside from illegal methods) but he saw all 3 required tests (CA) too far from the range of adjustments. He is the type of mechanic that would adjust it to pass. Plus he didn't charge me to test like the other stations (I already failed twice). I wonder how so many other cars with over 200k pass, maybe the PO's neglected it more. I also never had it smoke like he described.
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1987 300E, 1995 C280
I know there are some tricks to passing (aside from illegal methods) but he saw all 3 required tests (CA) too far from the range of adjustments. He is the type of mechanic that would adjust it to pass. Plus he didn't charge me to test like the other stations (I already failed twice). I wonder how so many other cars with over 200k pass, maybe the PO's neglected it more. I also never had it smoke like he described.
