Yep, the turbo was in the UK in 97, you got it in the States in 98 I think.
I am thinking that maybe a fatso rest his belly on the pipe to reach the back of the engine and this while the engine is running, that might explain?
I hope the rest are OK, there are few pipes in the cooling systems and one is dear enough on top of more cooland too...

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E300TD year 2000. RUSTY SOLD
cost a fortune to maintain on the road
but run well on WVO
Second Merc died due to corrosion ( NOT rust) How can mercedes get away with that for so long?
Third lasted a month then went away...
Fourth now... Corroded too...