The last few days after I pulled into the garage I was smelling coolant (92 190E 2.6 99K) when I opened the hood. I didn't check the coolant level at that time. Yesterday, I had to pull over after it touched 115C and the radiator light came on. I opened the hood and noticed all the coolant had disappeared. I also noticed a small crack in the hose that comes out of the neck (just below the cap) of the coolant resevoir and I don't know if this caused it. I didn't see any other leaks anywhere else. I checked the oil level and it was low but no coolant in it. The transmission fluid was fine. Any guidance, suggestions, advise on this problem is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
smk_texas
92 190E 2.6 99K

The small hose just under the cap is the overflow hose that runs from the radiator back to the expansion tank. This hose may need to be replaced. The dealer sells it by the foot and it ain't cheap.

You may also have a leak on the expansion tank cap neck. This part of the tank gets weak with age. I'd replace the hose and consider replacing the expansion tank cap as well because leakage from this point can cloud the issue. With a new cap and hose on, you'll know if the neck on the expansion tank is leaking.

The bottom line is you could be losing coolant from one of 3 areas that are all right next to one another. Sometimes it's tough to know for sure which one it is. The cap and hose are the cheapest to replace. If you have to replace the expansion tank, you'll also end up buying a new coolant level sensor.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

I apologize for what is likely an error in my previous post. Your 2.6 is similar in many ways to my 3.0

The overflow hose on your 2.6 may not feed into a tube coming off the cap neck as does mine. If that's so, then determining whether you have a faulty cap, neck, or overflow hose may be easier in your situation.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Mike,
Thanks for your advise. I failed to mention one thing. I've also noticed a puddle of thick (brownish) fluid under the car, right below the fire wall area. About two weeks ago this fluid was brown in color and lately it is clear and dries up after a few hours. I felt it with my fingers and it was oily at the beginning and dried up after a few minutes and does not smell like motor oil.

Also the expansion hose from the reservoir, is diverted somewhere under the passenger side fender. I have no clue where it goes after that. Thanks
smk_texas

SMK - I'm stumped about the fluid that's gone from brown to clear? Which side of the engine bay? - passenger or drivers?

The hose I was talking about earlier goes from your rad. to your expansion tank. The one you mentioned in you last post is where the coolant flows to when you have a boil-over situation.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Mike,
Thanks again for taking the time to respond. First, the brown fluid I mentioned leaks right in the center between the driver and passenger side of the engine bay. It occurs right below the firewall, just before the torque converter. Second, the cracked hose I mentioned comes out from the neck of the coolant reservoir and goes back under front passenger side fender. It haven't had a chance today to see where that hose goes. Like, I mentioned in my first post, I've been smelling coolant for the last one week. I opened the hood and I couldn't tell where the smell was coming from and couldn't see any leaks. Someone at work suggested that it could be the heater core. Hope this helps.
Thanks
smk_texas

SMK - brown fluid just B4 torque converter. I would think this is either oil getting past the rear main seal of the engine or dirty transmission fluid.

You might be able to pull off the cracked overflow hose, pull up GENTLY on it so as to bring a little more your way, then trim off the damaged piece. This is all assuming the crack is at the VERY end that attaches to the overflow tank. I recently went thru this. This hose goes down thru the wheel-well area on my MB.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Mike,
I lucked out. Yesterday after I got back home, I got under the car and didn't notice anything. Later, I turned on my work light and looker under the hood once again. Guess what, the hose that goes from the engine block to the heater core was cracked. The crack in the hose was close to the engine block and this explains why the fluid leak was under the fire wall. Since the other end is connected to the heater core which is behind the dash I cant replace the whole hose. I will see if I can extend the existing hose, otherwise I will get sometype of connector/extender and make it work. I was afraid that it was the heater core which would've costed me atleast $600 to fix. Anyway thanks for your input.
Regards
smk_texas