1999 E300D - Blown Head Gasket or Cracked Head?
Vehicle was caught in downpour last weekend... while waiting at idle for light to change, a truck passed in front, tossing water on the grill. Engine stalled but could be restarted about an hour later.
Inspection of the air filter housing revealed a water-logged air filter and water in the top and bottom halves of the filter housing. A small quantity of water was also present in the air mass sensor and turbocharger air intake duct. Turbo vanes are intact.
With everything dried out and engine cold, engine starts readily and runs well for approx. 3 minutes, after which a distinct miss develops, along with white exhaust smoke. CE illuminates, code indicates multiple misfires.
Waiting now for inspection by the insurance adjuster but, in the interim, anyone care to hazard a guess - blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head? There is a faint trace of oil/water admixture (mousse) present now on the interior of the oil filler cap.
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