Status update: Got the cheapie scanner from HF. Absolutely will not connect to either of my diesel w210s!! (Trust me, I tried every trick I read on the internet to get it to connect! Connects and reads just fine to my Chevy work truck).

Started the car this am and made it all the way to the end of my street before the sputtering occurred. Drive just great prior to occurrence.

Restarted and backed up the street slowly to my house.

Noticed coolant smell and steam coming out from under the manifold - kinda right exactly where the fuel heater resides!!

Going to borrow a pro scanner from a mechanic friend in a bit.

Will report back.

Thanks for all the advise so far friends.

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K