I had some symptoms indicative of a head gasket problem - slight loss of coolant over time, some pressure left in the expansion tank after the engine cooled.

Well, the oil test results are back in. 0% water, 0% coolant in the oil. Not a trace. Oil looks good to average on most tests for a diesel of the age and mileage we are talking about.

So I guess a pressure test to find the pinhole leak I must have somewhere is the next stage?

Hi
I think I might be in the same boat. Where did you send the oil and how much did it cost. I might ship mine off..

thanks

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1991 190E 311K [Brilliant Silver/Black MBTEx] -retired
1996 E300 315K [Black/Grey MBTex]

Want to put a tank in the trunk for WVO/SVO in the E300 Need to find a place to store my OIL!
Still procrastinating about the biodiesel/WVO
Made some biodiesel but so afraid to pour it all in - I've added some and think I'll supplement my fuel to see how I make out

Made some biodiesel but the process scares me - methanol fumes are not your friend! Need to do this outside.

I am in the frozen north of Canada (91 deg F today in American English!) so I sent my oil to a lab here in Acton, Ontario. Cost me the grand sum of 25 bucks and they completed the test and faxed me back the report within 5 days of mailing in the sample.

My brother - who maintains marine diesels and generators - recommended the lab. He uses oil tests as part of regular maintenance programs.

Amsoil do this in the US but their service is quite pricey, IMHO. I suggest you do a Google search or check out your yellow pages under lubricants or fleet services.....

Do you ever smell coolant while driving with the heater on? If so might be heater core.

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1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D

At the rate you are loosing coolant, it could easily be evaporating before it forms a puddle. Take a close look at your radiator and where the rubber hoses connect to the different fittings. Look for scale and crust build up or the tell tale sign of a green stain. I have seen on older cars where the alluminum hose nipples, like where the thermostat connection is, will build up oxidation underneath the hose and lift it away from the metal enough to cause it to leak. I think you can also by a UV dye that you can add to the coolant.

TimK

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EPA 609 & 608 HVAC Certified
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83' 300D Turbo - 300K + Miles
00' 1.9L TDI Beetle
85' 6.5L Turbo, GV-OD, GMC Suburban,
67' 2.5L Diesel NA - Land Rover Series IIA

Here's what you do if it's so cold your diesel fuel gels. Smear some on some toast and stay inside until it warms up outside.

Thanks - good next step. I replaced the expansion tank cap too as a precaution. No signs or smell of a heater core leak.

I had a very similar situation with my daily driver ('84 190D); no trace of coolant in the oil - coolant down a pint or so every oil change (never more than that) - no indications of leaks anywhere, been that way for over three years and 150K miles. Until last Saturday!

On a 700 mile road trip, 100 miles from home, pulling a steep four mile grade in the mountains, what must have been a very small breach in the head gasket let loose. Pressurized the cooling system and blew the coolant out the cap.

Hope to pull the head this week and try to determine the full extent of the damage. Should also be able to determine if it was as I thought, a long term head gasket issue.

Jim

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2005 C240 4matic wagon (daily driver)
87 190D - 225K (on loan)
85 190D - 312K (on loan)
2011 Subaru Legacy AWD (Wife's)

I'm slighlty confused. The cooling system is closed. The coolant is used to absorb heat from the engine and transfer it to the air via the radiator. If the system is closed it circulates via the waterpump. If the head gasket is breeched and only coolant is going out then is the pressure coming from a breech between the engine block and the coolant?

Where is the pressure being generated? Apart from heat expanding the coolant.

thanks

__________________
1991 190E 311K [Brilliant Silver/Black MBTEx] -retired
1996 E300 315K [Black/Grey MBTex]

Want to put a tank in the trunk for WVO/SVO in the E300 Need to find a place to store my OIL!
Still procrastinating about the biodiesel/WVO
Made some biodiesel but so afraid to pour it all in - I've added some and think I'll supplement my fuel to see how I make out

Made some biodiesel but the process scares me - methanol fumes are not your friend! Need to do this outside.

Combustion.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff