I have a '88 260e, M103 engine, with 189,000 miles that is leaking coolant from head gasket area of the passenger front of the engine (over the no.1 cylinder). I saw many threads on this forum about oil leaking from the head gasket but never coolant leaking externally from the head gasket. The oil and coolant in my car are both clean - no cross contamination.

I replaced a leaky water pump last summer and this leak is different...coming from the opposite side of the engine. I can't imagine what, except for the head gasket, could be leaking at this location.

Sure, head gasket leak can be coolant. After all there are oil passages and there are coolant passages in engine and head. In the case of my '92 300E this has been the case for now going on 130,000 miles. I know where it is leaking because I can crawl under and observe it. This leak is extremely small and slow. No cross contamination between oil and coolant. Plugs look normal.

So I simply add oil and coolant as needed and drive on. I will eventually fix it, but no big deal.

Steve
'92 300E Sportline 230K