Hi,

I notice some oil in the coolant recovery bottle, floating around the top... Not good. A head job according to the dealer is $3000 and up, and I dont have the tools/space to do it at my apartment. However, I am looking at a 1968 200, which smokes at startup, I believe due to dried out valve seals. In researching the smoking, I have read that if a car overheats, the head gasket can shrink and then especially at high running temperatures, can cause a loss of coolant into the cylinders, causing smoke.
My car has gone above 100 a couple times this summer while driving in 95 degree heat, at 75 mph with AC on... Could it possibly be that the head gasket can shrink in such a way that pressurized oil can seep into the coolant at a very small rate?
Theoretically, I guess it is possible, just wondering if anyone has ever heard of/seen this before. If that is the case, I guess it isnt really seriou, so long as I watch the temperature and pull off the oil in the recovery bottle from time to time...

The car doesnt loose coolant, barely any oil, and runs strong, starts up in less then 2 turnovers of the starter motor.
Any info is appreciated.
Thanks

JMH

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Current Diesels:
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