notlostmaybe,

Those engines were pretty robust and I think if the head gasket is blown, there is likely already significant other collateral damage. If you drive it there is no way to tell how long it will run. So, if you want the car and not the engine, your plan may work and it may not. I would not attempt this without a plan to figure out how to retrieve the car from the side of the road if the engine fails completely on your way home. Good luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)