1996 c220 head gasket?
 

Hello all!

I just got back from buying a '96 C 220 that was sold as having a blown headgasket. I don't know much about these newer gas powered models, so I thought I'd check here before tearing it apart.

The car has 231,xxx on it and actually runs quite nice ( No smoke and only a little condensation at start up. I just drove it 50 miles home). It does not overheat and the oil looks fine (on the dipstick and under the valve cover) but the coolant tank is like a giant chocolate milkshake! Is there some other way on this engine for oil to get into the cooling system (and not vice-versa) or am I just being overly optimistic? I probably have a cracked head, correct?

What ever the case, I only gave $1,100 for it and the wiper switch is the only thing that doesn't work (a/c, moonroof, heated seats, etc. all good!) so I won't feel bad putting some cash into it.

Thanks,
Klaus

That's usually how a blown head gasket will manifest itself on these cars. Oil leaks between the oil and coolant passages at the gasket failure point. Doubt you have a cracked head, but you're going to be able to have a look at it once you pull it for the gasket.

The biggest pain of all is going to be cleaning all that sludge out of the entire cooling system. Do a search. There's plenty of good info on this topic.

Thanks for the excellent info! I was a little unsure since it doesn't even try to overheat and the oil looked good. I don't know much about these gassers! Guess it's time to start tearing it apart...

Klaus

Klaus, sorry about this. I realize this is an old thread. Just curious how your work with the head gasket go. I might have to do the same soon. I have 312k on my 96 C220.