A friends 87 SDL has clearly reached the end of its days.. to a point where he regularly drives it until it overheats, solidly. I went to check it out for him and initially filled the reservoir with several gallons of water, before it began to drain from the little gap in the bottom of the trans, where it mates to the engine, before the car was even started..

I can only fathom that the head/block must have a significant crack in it to be coming out there.. any other possibles? I cannot say I have ever seen anything quite like it.

I guess it could also be the head gasket at the back of the engine, or maybe a "freeze plug" leaking. Either way, it doesn't sound good.

Water coming out from the weep hole at the transmission sounds more like a block issue than anything else. Check if there's any water in the oil as well.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I doubt it is a cracked block or head. Using a mirror may show the headgasket. If there is a freeze plug on the back of the engine it may be above or below the bellhousing. Someone on site should know. If above the bellhousing you just might get a view of it as well with a mirror. Also inspect carefully it is not a component in the heater loop leaking in the area.

Those make more sense, I didnt think that MB utilized freeze plugs in the 603 though.. it looks way more like a heater hose/core leak but it is unmistakeably coming from the trans weep hole as you can stick a finger in there to effectively plug it up.. any other ideas much appreciated.

my 603 has freeze plugs here and there. the engine definatly has some..

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Any idea where the freeze plugs are at in the rear of the engine where it would end up draining out the tranny weep hole?

Please check Windshield heater valve. You have to remove the wiper arms and that black panel thing that cover the wiper motor to see the heater valve.

I had the same issue with my SDL and located the leak (as you described) from the valve. Replaced the valve, problem solved.

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1987 300SDL 314K mi, counting; #22 Head
1999 E300Turbo 405K original miles
1997 E320 180K mi (Son's)
2002 ML320 (Son's)
1998 S320 140K mi (Son's) sold
1985 300SD 311K mi
1984 300D 324K mi (killed by a hit-n-run turd)
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There is a freeze plug on the back of the head and on the back of the block. The one on the block, to see it you have to take motor out or take tranny out.

Outstanding advice guys..many thanks.