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#1
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Bubbles in coolant tank
I noticed my coolant was low at last oil change so I refilled it. I drove the car (1982 300TD) for 1500 miles and noticed it was about a quart low. I just figured I overfilled or something. I drove it for about 200 miles noticed it was low again. When I checked it yesterday it was right at the line but had bubbles in it, I just got home after a 45 mile drive. Normal pressure when I take the radiator cap off also. I let the car sit for 30 minutes and started it up again and no bubbles. I just wondered if it could be a head gasket or something. Car has 217,000 miles. Starts up and just a little black smoke. Thank you
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#2
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Could be head gasket - not a good sign. Coolant loss + bubbles normally means bad gasket or cracked head, and on your OM617 engine the gasket is more likely. You could try a sealer but don't get your hopes up.
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#3
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Would the coolant have bubbles also when idling? I ran the car for 30 minutes with no bubbles? Would it leak only on higher rpm's. I was thinking in the same direction you are. Is there a test that can be performed to see if it is the gasket or the head?
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#4
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It depends on the severity of the leak. A major leak will show up at idle or revving in park. A very minor leak may only appear while under load, when combustion pressures are high enough to breach the failed seal or crack. You can get an test kit from NAPA that checks for combustion gasses in the coolant. It's not cheap (~$40) but will turn color if there's a problem. Assuming the test results are "bad", then you get to pull the head (or perhaps try some sealer first).
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