My water pump was leaking and I added water every time the light would come on. I didn’t drive more than about 5 or 10 miles at a time until I could get the water pump fixed. My car never overheated, but I suppose it would have if the water level ever became too low.

Your car probably won’t overheat until the fluid gets to low, but I think you do have to hurry and get it fixed. It is definitely a bad idea to let you car continue to burn the radiator fluid. I think you can get all kinds of deposits around the aluminum head and then it may have to be machined to get it straightened out. I think you will just add to the expense, if you continue to drive the car.

From what I have read about improvements in the gasket design, it sounds like the head gasket fix is a once and done job, so just figure it will be good for 200,000 or 300,000 more miles once you get it fixed.

__________________
I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/