My step dad has a 1983 300SD that he commutes 200 miles a day in. It has been acting up latley in that the cooling system has too much pressure and wants to release it by blowing off heater hoses and whatnot. Any ideas?

__________________
Andrew Villasenor
805-720-5057
1984 300D turbo 5-speed manual(daily driver)
ALL MY DIESELS RUNNING WVO
Everything is for sale for the right amount
Ebay Store

Run car with rad cap off and look for bubbles in coolant. Since you are probably a young fellow remove the cap while engine is cold and let engine warm up to operating temperature. Anytime during warmup if you see bubbles in radiator coolant shut off engine as test is over and post results here. Or have someone test coolant for hydrocarbon presence. You may be able to purchase a cheap test kit at auto parts stores locally. Car is not overheating I assume? Sorry about reffering to you as young fellow just re read your post. You can go immediatly to the hydrocarbon test if you wish unless you see the bubbles as think you will still have to do it even without the bubbles. Suspect head gasket is on way out. also could you post what part of country you reside in as you have parts cars.

Like Barry said. Suspect is a head gasket leaking from combustion chamber to cooling system, adding pressure where it is not wanted...

Best Regards,
Jim

Does the cap make a vibrating/buzzing/hissing sound when the pressure is high? As Jim H said, you may have a blown head gasket.

I had a freind who had that problem. Pressure tested the system, couldn't find it.
The radiator was suspect, had that gelled coolant slime, removed and boiled it.
Same problem.
Took it to the shop, it was the radiator cap!!! Talk about a $5 fix!

__________________
Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

Hi, and thank you for the respose, we are worried that the headgasket would be to blame. I am on the central coast of california, about 3 hrs drive north of Los Angeles, I do have 3 parts cars, and I am willing to ship any parts that you all may need. I am a young man, however I have always been mature for my age, and my father is one of the brightest mechanics you will ever meet, so we make a good team. Thanks you for input.

__________________
Andrew Villasenor
805-720-5057
1984 300D turbo 5-speed manual(daily driver)
ALL MY DIESELS RUNNING WVO
Everything is for sale for the right amount
Ebay Store