Hey Guys,
A while ago, a year or so, I noticed some whitish streaks coming down the back of the block on the left side. I took it to a independent repair shop and the mechanic didn't seem to think it was too serious. I kept my eyes on it and it never really seemed to get any worse untill recently, when I was replacing the motor mounts, I noticed a significant increase of "streaks". I took out a telescoping mirror and it looks like it's coming between the block and the head near the rear corner. I know this isn't normal, but is it common on a 96E300D? I've had plenty of gasoline heads off, is that what I'm facing or somethinig a little more complicated(not that taking a diesel head off is easy)?
Thanks,
Matt Hemsley
So. Cal

I don't remember hearing of such a leak on this website, so I'll guess it is not common. Possible, but not common.

Best Regards,
Jim

I'm guessing it's not too common either, but don't know if re-torquing the head will "fix" it or not. I'll pobably end up taking it to another repair shop for a second opinion.
Matt Hemsley
So. Cal

O.K. here's the whole story... a few years back I was at an intersection with a left turn lane and two going straight. I was in the middle lane and when the light changed the two cars in front of me started out and as I followed I reached over to grab a map, looking up just in time to see both cars stopped dead. It was enough to push the condenser just slightly into the fan. Turns out the first car decided he wanted to turn left after all and just stopped until on-coming traffic went by. Thankfully I was close to where I was headed and after getting there was able to pull the condenser back enough so that the fan was operational. I'm thinking both electrical fans were probably stopped as well. I didn't notice the temp gauge get hot al all, maybe a little over normal. After getting it back from the body shop, i noticed that the car ran a little warmer than usual, but attributed that to the new thermostat they said they replaced. It was after all that that I started noticing the "streaks". Is this a "no matter what" the head comes off or is there an additive that will prolong the inevetible?
Thanks,
Matt Hemsley
So.Cal