yes it can i had the same problem i replaced every thing in the cooling system only to find a bad head gasket was the rote of all the problems.i did the compression test and that is when i found it was bad
hope this helps

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Dan Younes
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1985 euro 500sel 220k
1981 300sd 278k sold
1979 240d 298k sold
1983 300sd 272k sold
1989 chrysler 2.2l Turbo
Leabaron 130k
1989 Dodge Carvan Se 285k
1996 C220(hopefully soon)