[W124] Re: [Mercedes] looking for quick sanity check on suddencooling system repair needs

[Robert Archigian]

Alec,
Been there and done all that.
If you go for the radiator, there is a good replacement from South Africa 
they can use, about $300
If you do the water pump, do a new belt and adjusting device as well.
My 93CE  Sportline is the shop getting done up, as it decided to go deer 
hunting.  It bagged an 8 pointer.
Hell of a price for venison you cannot eat.
Bob Archigian

----Original Message Follows----
From: Steve Nervig <dakota at mac.com>
Reply-To: W124 CE Coupes and Convertibles <w124list at mbcoupes.com>
To: Alec Cordova <benzaholic at gmail.com>
CC: w124 List <w124list at mbcoupes.com>,Diesel-Benz List 
<diesel-benz at digest.net>,Mercedes Mailing List 
<mercedes at mercedesmailinglist.com>
Subject: [W124] Re: [Mercedes] looking for quick sanity check on 
suddencooling system repair needs
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 13:57:02 -0800
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On Dec 9, 2005, at 1:28 PM, Alec Cordova wrote:

>Well, my 89 300CE didn't survive the freeze we just got in the Austin,
>Texas area. She was overheating on this morning's commute, and only
>giving me cold air in the cabin, even on defrost. Upper and lower rad
>hoses were warm. Heater hose coming off the back of the head was warm
>near the head, but not warm on the other end.
>
>Mercedes of Georgetown, which isn't my favorite but does give free
>loaner cars, claims my radiator is leaking and my thermostat needs to
>be replaced. They also say my water pump has some extra play in the
>shaft and is probably on its way out, although it's not leaking yet.
>
>They want almost $700 to replace the rad and thermostat, plus another
>$700-ish to do the water pump. Not yet clear if that includes the
>couple hours of labor saved by replacing the water pump while they're
>in there for the rad and thermostat.
>
>The car has almost 197K miles, and she's in reasonably good shape
>except for the climate control blower, which I'm pretty sure is not
>the blower motor itself. I had shocks, struts, and front suspension
>rubber replaced a year or so ago, so that's all good. Some of the
>wife's recent expenses leave me in a position where I probably
>shouldn't replace the car (which kinda stinks, since John M on the
>diesel list is selling his 91 300D 2.5, and I'm sure he's got it in
>great shape), so I'm basically committed to repairing this one.
>
>Do those numbers sound like the right ballpark for these repairs at a
>stealership? I know the radiator and thermostat retail for $250 -
>$300, and the water pump retails for about $230.
>
>I need to give them a Go or No Go within the next hour or so.
>
>Why oh why must I be so addicted to these cars? ;-)
>
>Thanks,
>Alec Cordova
>Taylor, Texas
>89 300CE, 196K

Alex, here are some numbers I found in the STAR Time Guide:

R&I Rad		1.2 hours
Thermostat	.5 hours
Coolant Pump	3.9 hours, 3.4 hours with Rad removed.

Draining and filling coolant and possible flush might add a bit of  time. I 
would think a skilled tech would be able to beat those book  times by 
anearly half, but of course that isn't the way it usually  works.

If it were me, after driving a coupe, I can't imagine trading it in  and 
driving a stinker, but that's just me. ;-)  But you are probably  right, 
John will have his car in great shape (I've seen it).

If you've had the valve/guides/heads done recently, I'd keep it.

Regards,
Steve Nervig
Seattle
1990 300E
1992 300CE Sportline


--
If you don't know where you're going,
any road will do.

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