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