89 190E 2.6 questions
 

Just test drove an 89 190e 2.6 with 192k....(192k!! should I even bother?)...

Actually, it drove pretty well and is one of the better looking units I have seen for its mileage. THe body seems in pretty good shape and no real obvious rust spots - not even at the jack stands. At least from what i can see thru a bit of snow around the body.

Interior's got the usual air registers that don't operate well. Seems to be very common with these models. Must be all the plastic stuff that break. The heat worked surprisingly well. Per Carfax, its a one owner but can't rely too much on that.

Anyways, I always like to open the engine oil fill cap and look underneath it. To my dismay, I see a decent film of cream. Unless its just a fluke, this can be a sign of big trouble. The dipstick had no tell-tale signs but dipsticks aren't the best place to look. Usually, white smoke in the exhaust but since its 10F outside, every exhaust is white....lol.

Have any of you 190 owners ever worked on changing head gaskets? If so, any advise? Difficulty level? Etc.....Will it ever be the same after opening it up?

Ohhh NOOO!!! I'm too afraid that the engine is mixing coolant water with engine oil. In that case you need to change the headgasket.

Does it loose water???

zcc, I do not own the car so I cannot tell you if it looses water. Its for sale at a used car dealership.

Thats why I said its big trouble. Normally, the first culprit is head gasket BUT it can also be a cracked head. If so, dasvidania is the word. Or is it hasta la vista baby?

What a shame. That car looks pretty good.

Doesn't always mean a head gasket, some times with some models is condensation from short trips in cold weather ....http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=178300

You could take an oil sample to see if any glycol is in it. Of course if it is just being caused by condensation with short trips it will not be in the oil.
We experience quite a few cars that are only short distance driven for years perhaps before purchase. Not unusual for them to drop their oil level quickly on the first hot run of some distance. In fact a good reason to change the oil as soon as you get a car if you do not know the last time the oil was changed.
A rapid drop of one or even two quarts is not unknown. All the accumulated moisture and contaminates with a lower boil point than oil get boiled off. Now the real question is it wise to buy a car that experiences this? We have lucked out so far but may not always. Normal oil change intervals are not good enough on cars that have only very short trips. Ownership of a car should mean at least one extended run a week in my opinion. I find it amazing the engines seem to tollerate this short distance treatment as well as they do. You have to make sure of course the dealer has not just changed the oil before pulling an oil sample. Or the test may not be valid. Might help answer your question though.
edit: I just finished reading the refference post to this problem on the 112 engine type. Pretty bad for what these cars cost new in my opinion. You have a different engine without it being a chronic problem like the 112s as far as I know. Unless created by bad habit owner use senarios or something like a head gasket as you mentioned. Easy enough for you to find out though.

I would take a 10 MM socket, 3/8 drive and lift the valve cover off enough to see what the top of the head looks like. If cream or gunk buildup is inside there, Run Forest Run!!!!!!!!!!!