My car is still too HOT. and not in the good way. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

loserstench · #1 12-18-2005, 05:43 AM

let me make it short...

This week I smelled an unusual smell (not the mildewy, paint, old smell) it was like a burning smell, and I saw a more than usual amount of exhaust coming out my tailpipe(my car has not been known to smoke even upon start up). I attributed the new smoke to the cold conditions and how smoke is more visable.

Tonight, I drive my car as usual out and about, and I smell that burning smell again and stopped at a light I see the front lights illuminate smoke so I pull over. Check under the hood and see a splatter of coolant under the cap that is above my radiator/fan. Didnt know what to think so I carried on.

1.5 hrs later, I go to pay the toll on the parkway and as I slow up, I see a massive amount of smoke (I was later told it was steam) arise from under my hood and a lot of smoke come out my tailpipe (which has increased beforehand). I exit the parkway pull over, and just as I pulled over, I swear if you were standing across the street, the amount of smoke would have made the car invisible like a magic trick of sorts.

So I pop the hood, and see the splatter (which was small) is now quite large and projected only towards the back of the car, from under the coolant cap. I got the car towed home because I was cautioned I could ruin the engine block. Any ideas what is wrong? My friend says its the water pump not circulating the liquids or the thermostat not telling the car that it is overheating. Also where exactly under the hood are those components located?

thanks.

-Jim

t walgamuth · #2 12-18-2005, 07:31 AM

first we need year and model.

then, from your description, it could in addition to the wp and stat could be a blown head gasket. generally no steam will come out the exhaust if the head gasket is not blown. so if you had steam coming out the tail pipe you have a blown head gasket or cracked head or less likely a cracked block.

and from the amount of time it sounds as if you drove the car possibly a lot of collateral damage.

the water pump will be on the front of the motor. possibly behind the fan or beside it if on a newer model. the stat will be in a housing and the top radiator hose will lead to it.

we can help more with more info.

tom w

JimmyL · #3 12-18-2005, 09:51 AM

He has a 1980 300D according to his profile.
Did you happen to look at the temperature guage during any of this? The steam out of the tailpipe pretty much lets you know this isn't going to be an easy little fix. Sounds like something empeded your circulation, which resulted in a blown head gasket. Or maybe the gasket just went because it was just it's 'time'.
Sounds like you are going to have to take it somewhere and have it looked at.
Good luck! At least this isn't on a 603!

loserstench · #4 12-18-2005, 12:59 PM

How do I know if its more than normal steam coming out the tailpipe? quanity? smelling it?

Yes, I have a 1980 300D. I realized I shouldve checked the temp, but after a while, I saw it at 110 when the hood open, and when I closed it, it was below40, the I opened it again and it went back to 110.

thanks.

t walgamuth · #5 12-18-2005, 01:32 PM

no steam coming out the pipe is normal. never. nada.

the temp will jump around like that when it is very low on coolant. that is when you need to shut it off and look for something to put in the cooling system.

when you know it is low and need to add, always add while the motor is running so that it wont all hit in one spot and crack something. and if it is really hot, you need to wait til it cools down. maybe a half hour or so.

sorry you are having trouble.

good luck

tom w

Diesel Giant · #6 12-18-2005, 03:33 PM

Seeing your exhaust at night with the following cars head lights always makes it look worse. My car has no visible smoke during the day while running, but at night it looks like alot.

Your cooling system problem is another issue, unless your were burning coolant. These cars are not known to blow head gaskets very often.

#7 12-18-2005, 05:51 PM

Fire your car up (its unlike you are going to make things worse now) after you top off the coolant.

See if you start loosing coolant and see if your exhaust is blowing water/wet/lots of steam.

It sounds sorta headgasket-esk to me but it probably blew due to low coolant.

I presume you have antifreeze in there right (green or orange?)

If not...you got some 'splaining to do

Brian Carlton · #8 12-18-2005, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

if mine had been steam smoke........

..........yep.......gotta be careful of that steam smoke.........

loserstench · #9 12-21-2005, 09:44 PM

This was in my coolant systems. Looks like lard. Made my car smoke.

see this thread...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=140286

Wasuchi · #10 12-21-2005, 09:51 PM

I'm going to say that it's probably oil getting into the cooling system. I had a head crack on an old pickup when I was high school and the oil looked somewhat like that but more oily. I bet you have a bad headgasket.

loserstench · #11 12-21-2005, 09:53 PM

THere is also a smallhole to the left of the radiator cap (under the overflow hose.)
Will a 1982 Wagon 300Turbo Diesel radiator part fit on the 1980 300d?

Keep in mind the substance in there is not liquid, it is greaselike substance which is solidish like butter.

Wasuchi · #12 12-21-2005, 10:07 PM

Yep, oil seperates when it's mixed with hot coolant. If you start it does the cooing system immediately pressurize? Or does it have a leak in it?

loserstench · #13 12-21-2005, 10:09 PM

because of the hole, we dont know.

Wasuchi · #14 12-21-2005, 10:27 PM

I wonder if you could patch the hole with Magnum Steel, you can usually find it at a parts store, comes in a 4" long tube thats about as big around as a quarter. It's a putty type stuff, I've always had pretty good luck with it.

JimmyL · #15 12-21-2005, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasuchi

I wonder if you could patch the hole with Magnum Steel, you can usually find it at a parts store, comes in a 4" long tube thats about as big around as a quarter. It's a putty type stuff, I've always had pretty good luck with it.

I'm thinking that the hole in the radiator is the least of his concerns at the moment.
And Wasuchi, you are a nice example of helpful info in your signature... Others could take note and benefit.