ok, so i finally get the radiator replaced ( it's been a while) .. i was really careful to keep the level full and only drive short distances...it only over heated like 3 times, and i quickly shut it off.

so today i get the radiator replaced and now it's using almost as much coolant as it did when it was leaking!! the car has 170k miles on it, but there's not any visible leaks anywhere.

where is it going?

thanks

have you checked for water in your oil or is it blowing any smoke?
Might have a warpped head or blown head gasket. Worst case cracked head/block.

ok here's what it's doing. on about 1/2 of the starts it will run rough, and the other 1/2 of the starts will run perfectly smooth! it did on one occassion tonite it did blow out a massive amount of white smoke for about 5 seconds, then no more- later i put a flashlight near the tailpipe as it was running and no smoke..

why the intermittent problem? it is using coolant - probably down about 2 inches on the reservior from when i started this aft. after they installed the radiator..

when it runs rough, it seems to not have alot of power, and then if by magic when it runs smooth it seems to be fine!!!

the oil is nice and black- a mb tech said to look for the milkshake look- no such thing in my oil...

thanks...supposed to take a road trip with it tomorrow? wondering how long if it's acracked head it will last like this?

ok more clues:

when i turn it off for a short time-- less problem
when i turn it off for like 30 minutes- bigger problem

after a "long" stop- it makes squeaking sqwuaking noises under the hood and last time the check engine light flashed...

i turned it off, started it back up- got it up to freeway speeds and it ran like perfect.

the reservoir "boils" as its running....like it's

Oh, yea, you got a cracked head or blown head gasket. the squacking noise is the cylinder trying to compress a liquid, mostly, it has to get by the rings and would make a slow crank with the associated wheeze! The water in the cylinder can also bend a rod so you may want to cease and desist starting this engine.

If you dare, have someone crank it up WHILE you watch the tailpipe for water discharge. You really should be finding some water in the crankcase now. And the underside of the oil filler cap will have that whitish oil/water emulsion.

You could borrow a radiator presure tester for Autozone, or ? and pressure test the system with the spark plugs out. If the pressure goes down, then crank the engine to see which side is bad. Water will blow out a plug hole and you won't bend any rods.

NOTE: if this is a 98-99 era ML, the factory warranty was supposed to be extended to 150,000 miles and you might still be covered.

Jim in Phoenix

it's now blowing smoke out the tailpipe- and it can't be moved.... it will start , but you can't drive it... any kind of feel for pricing in gaskets, and warped head repairs, etc.

thanks

Mine had a blown gasket because someone (PO) thought it would make it home with a coolant leak. That really pisses these cars off.

Its labor intensive but the short version is pull the head, have it checked and decked, replace if needed, replace all removed gaskets, replace all head bolts, replace all wear and tear items on the way out (seals, chains, guides and such).

My 190D cost 450 to do (used head).

__________________
Satan creates nothing: he only ruins everything. He does not invent: he tampers. And his followers are no different ~ Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigaṇ

Do you have a list of models this warranty extension covers?

Mine's a '98 w/126K

Thanks,

Sour

You are covered for 10 years/150,000 miles, see http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/opinions/03D0139P.pdf