380 SEL high temp, low oil pressure

[schkip]

Hello all good folk,

Firstly thanks for letting me join the forum from Australia! I have bought two beaut mercs 380SEL, one 1983, and one 1985 (W126). They have been a pleasure to drive and shunt everyone around in style

In January went for a long trip (2000km there and back, 1000 miles or so) for a holiday. I was careful to check all fluids (oil, coolant, rear suspension, brake..) during the trip. Just today I noticed these symptoms:

- smoke coming out of the coolant return chamber
- dry coolant return chamber
- appears to be a coolant leak 'stripe' on the ground in line with the radiator
- oil level ok
- temperature was high (greater than 80oC, less than 120oC)
- drops to 1 (bar?) reading on the oil guage at idle / peak hour
- engine has ok pickup still but a little rattly on acceleration

Any ideas? engine trouble or loss of coolant from a hose?

Thanks a lot everyone, it would be great to hear from you all. BTW - as an aside, where is a good place to get old service and repair manuals for these bad boys?

Thanks !

Regards
Steve

[Ferdman]

Steve, coolant could be leaking from various sources ... hoses, loose hose connection, water pump weep hole, radiator, etc. It's best to do a pressure test to identify the source. Refill the system with coolant before doing anything. You want to avoid trashing your engine.

[david s poole]

hi steve,where are you in australia?i grew up there in sth aust[elizabeth] and moved here in 78.sounds like you may have a leaking water pump on that car.if you look at the pump shaft you will see a hole behind pulley that leads to pump shaft.there is another on the bottom and if you use a mirror to see it if leaking it will be wet.good luck.

[schkip]

thanks all!

I grew up in sth aust too!! very small world. Living in sydney now.

thanks I will check out the hoses pump etc.

Cheers all and thanks again

S

[jba75152]

Hi Steve
John here from Berrara near Nowra.NSW
I enjoy the forum also .happy to hear from you
I have 84 380 SEL 124K
Phone 0244412500

[schkip]

Hi All,

The thermostat was playing up and the radiator needed replacing, so a flush etc and it runs good as new and doesn't get hot.
Thanks everyone!

Cheers
Steve