OM616 does not have a viscous coupled fan (that didn't occur until the OM603)
240D does not have SLS

I still think it's fuel.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Sounds like the weep hole on bottom of the water pump. Get a extendable mirror, run the engine, and carefully position the mirror beside, and below water pump and watch the small weep hole.
Antifreeze will burn. Ethonol gylcol; soaked in a paper towel!
Check the banjo fittings real well, with the mirror, on side of injection pump, etc.

Well, i was thrown off by it burning, but the leak is intermittent, sometimes dripping even when the engine is off, sometimes not. Classic symptom of bad waterpump.

I stuffed a paper towel right under the pump, and sure enuff, about an hour later it was wet.

So i bought a duralast pump, as i am leaving on a trip in a few days, and couldn't wait for Pelican to ship.

Anyone had experience with Duralst pumps? Could i get lucky and have it last a while, or should i postpone my trip and wait for one from Pelican?

Thanks again for all the helpful suggestions, the forum is great!!

Get the cast vane pump. The stamped impeller pump moves a lot less coolant, which is a typical aftermarket water pump for these cars.

I had a lot of random overheating problems that were partially connected to a stamped pump

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This without the burning. Then add the same amount of diesel, if it separates (has two distinct layers) or is an emulsion it is coolant. Any brake fluid or PS fluid you should be able to recognize those losses by needing to keep on adding.