Over the past few days I noticed a slight (few drops) of fluid under the engine. Suspecting coolant, this morning I started her up, let the temp rise and proceeded to trace down the source. Crawled under and noticed coolant and slight bubbles from the right rear headgasket area. No coolant in the oil. No oil in the coolant. Car has always run like a top. Over the past month or so I have noticed a slight drop in the coolant level, although the car has never run hot. I suspect a leaking head gasket and plan on tackling the job myself. Any recommendations on what else this might be? Special tools and sage advice before proceeding on the repair?
Thanks,
MikeT

If you go to "user cp" or enter in the text: year model etc., you will get more help.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Oops. I thought that my info was included in my signature. The vehicle in question is a 1985 300D with 285,00O miles.
MikeT

check the obvious first, there are many hoses that run into the second firewall area that may be loose, coolant around the rear of the head gasket is a strange symptom

Checked the hoses, all look fine. The very slight bubbling can be seen with a flashlight (after the engine is warmed up), right at the head gasket seam. It is slight, however, my fear is if I let it go any further, I may end up with a more serious problem.

I have never used Barsleak, not sure how good a "fix" that may be. Has anyone had a good experience with it in their Benz?

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MikeT
1985 300DT (Cali), 285,000 miles
1985 Ford F-250 6.9L, 280,000 miles

Not on my MB, but on my Chevy Suburban, never really worked long term.
Your symptom IS serious. Head gasket failure is not good. However 285K is awesome
You may want to get the cooling system pressurized to locate exact cause.
Good luck

Bars leak is the best cooling system product I've ever used, used in several cars for years with significant cooling system leaks. If that doesn't fix it, you'll probably need to change that gasket.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

Sounds an awful lot like you are about to learn how to change a headgasket. I just went through this. It takes 3 times longer than expected but it is a DIY for the experienced home mechanic. While you have the head out check the guides and seats. You might as well do the valve job if it needs it. I might be worthwhile to have a compression test done now. If the engine is getting tired doing the headgasket may not be worth your time. If she has good compression give the old girl a much deserved valve job and drive her another 100K. Search under "I'm tearing the head off" with my name. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K