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

[J Hirsch]

Call  866.262.3800  for more information, this is in addition to 
Autozone
Have  radiator for  $155
  Sales at alloemautoparts.com
Jay H
On Dec 9, 2005, at 4:57 PM, Steve Nervig wrote:

>
> 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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