Emergency newbie questions- Long trip ahead in the w123 tonight - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vwnate1 · #46 03-01-2018, 01:13 PM

So ;

Suddenly my '82 240D is loosing coolant at a rapid clip and not a drop to be seen leaking anywhere .

First thing I did was pull the oil cap, nothing ~ no steam, no "milk" on the inside of the cap yet it uses a couple quarts of coolant every 1/2 hour .

I don't smell leaky coolant either .

Now what ?

.

" Stay healthy, play with your toys until they are no longer fun is the best advice I can give. " ~ that's a very wise Man right there .

Simpler=Better · #47 03-01-2018, 01:31 PM

It's drinking it in the combustion chamber somewhere, or it's dumping it only when under pressure and not when you're idling.

Phillytwotank · #48 03-01-2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

So ;

Suddenly my '82 240D is loosing coolant at a rapid clip and not a drop to be seen leaking anywhere .

First thing I did was pull the oil cap, nothing ~ no steam, no "milk" on the inside of the cap yet it uses a couple quarts of coolant every 1/2 hour .

I don't smell leaky coolant either .

Now what ?

.

" Stay healthy, play with your toys until they are no longer fun is the best advice I can give. " ~ that's a very wise Man right there .

Could be a pinhole leak somewhere. pressurize the cooling system. should be able to find it.

BillGrissom · #49 03-01-2018, 02:58 PM

The book "Into the Wild" elaborates on the movie. After the Atlanta boy abandoned the 1970's Datsun car in Grand Canyon NP, the rangers found it. After drying the distributor cap (kid parked in dry river - flash flood), it started right up. Since no tag, they got title and drove it as a park vehicle for 15 yrs and told author Krakauer that it was their most reliable vehicle. The boy's dad had derided his old car, but likely it out-lasted his gaudy late-80's Cadillac.

97 SL320 · #50 03-01-2018, 06:39 PM

That is a big leak. I'd pressurize each cylinder then look for coolant rise / bubbles in the rad cap.

vwnate1 · #51 03-02-2018, 11:43 AM

Posts 48 & 50 nailed it, my cooling system pressure & cap tester is buried God knows where .

I was working on something else with the engine idling and noticed a drop of water on the tranny's bell housing, running my hand underneath that long engine to firewall heater hose revealed a rough area that when I rubbed it, began to dribble in earnest .

As mentioned : it must have sprayed a mist once the car got up to speed and temperature .

Why no puddles, I still don't know .

I have ordered the hose, oddly I just replaced _every_other_ coolant hose but managed to skip this one (duh)

.

Onwards, ever on wards

.

dinman · #52 03-02-2018, 04:23 PM

This thread should now just be "wildest journeys in my vehicles"

Haha

On a side note, i think im taking the 300d on another trip tonight. Off to Pensacola beach

dinman · #53 03-03-2018, 06:08 AM

370 miles- just made it

One issue- my passenger headlight blew. Is there any way to replace the bulb or do I have to replace the whole assembly?

Phillytwotank · #54 03-03-2018, 08:11 AM

Headlight high and low beams have their own fuses. Check fuses 9 and 13 first for your left side headlights. If it is indeed blown then you should be able to pick one up at any auto parts store. You only need to take off the headlight “grill” by loosening the thumb nuts on the inside and then a Phillips head screwdriver to take the bulb out.

leathermang · #55 03-03-2018, 11:44 AM

Don't JUST replace the fuse
check for bad grounds and corroded connections
or it will just keep happening...
usually at the very worst time....

dinman · #56 03-04-2018, 11:04 PM

Got it, replaced the whole headlight. Didn't know they were used on so many models. On the way home now, wish me luck

MongooseGA · #57 03-06-2018, 10:26 AM

I bought my 85 300D 600 miles away sight unseen. Flew up, picked it up, drove it home to ATL from Virginia Beach. The trip was great.

Now, let your cruise control go inop and tell me how fun a road trip is. Ugh.

I keep an extra jug of Rotella, some premixed coolant, lengths of fuel and vacuum lines, one of each fuel filter, tire plug kit, factory jack and tool kit, a pack of spare fuses and bulbs, rags, fuel treatment, etc. All of my little kit fits in the well of the trunk on the pass side leaving me the full trunk space to keep usable.