So I drove up to my folk's for Christmas, about 100 miles, and I parked my car in their driveway. The temperature dropped down to about mid 20s that night. The next day I spotted some coolant under my car. I followed the trail of drips to the origin of the coolant leak just under the intake manifold somewhere, the drip drips down the engine. Drove the car back home and saw a bit of a drip when I returned home. Total amount of coolant loss was negligible. I just took the car to my indy and he was surprised to see coolant on that part of the engine. He said he'd re-torque the head and thought that would take car of it. What do you think?

Also, my car has shown no signs of a cracked head----oil in coolant, coolant in oil, coolant smell in cabin, overheating.......

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1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

Cold water leak, most likely. I used to see this a lot on trucks, get down to just below freezing and the aluminum coolant fittings would contract more than the steel clamps.
Does a heater hose connect somewhere nearby? It could be leaking from there and just running along the surface of the block.

Yeah, I'm hoping for the cold water leak thing. I found a couple threads that mentioned that. I just haven't really found any info on a leak in my particular area. I know 617 cracked heads are pretty rare but, not knowing the full history of the car, it still has me slightly concerned and I'm just looking for other opinions.

I was thinking heater hoses at first too, but those mostly seem too far back or too far forward, I don't know of any heater hoses that would allow coolant to leak onto the engine just below the intake manifold and just behind the exhaust manifold. But then, I really don't know too much...

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1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

Keep an eye on the coolant. Don't be too alarmed. I would have to remind myself that this is a 25 year old diesel engine. Probably just nature of the beast.

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Regards,
Ian White

1995 E300 Diesel w124 OM606
2014 E550 w212 M278 biturbo

2001 BMW 740i E38 M62 (past)
1981 300SD w126 OM617 (past)

Ahh, those may be the words I need to hear.

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1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

It would be worthwhile to inspect the numerous heater hoses and connections on the firewall. A small leak from a hose can spray coolant in a way that makes it appear that the leak originates elsewhere.

I agree with tangofox. There is a heater line running under the inlet manifold. it could have a leak that is spraying over, otherwise is there a welsh plug near by?

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving