Head Gasket vs Cracked Engine Block - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1991 300SE Owner · #31 03-14-2007, 09:35 PM

I was getting abnormal wear on my tires, I had some high spots and low spots. It seemed like the front end went down a bit when I would brake sometimes. Plus I think they were leaking.

I think it was only the front ones that were bad, but it was recommended that I replace both front and rear at the same time so I did. I got the ones they took off the car and they were the original shocks, about 14 years old.

It was either the shocks or struts. I don't know the difference between one or the other or if my car has shocks, struts, or both.

1991 300SE Owner · #32 03-19-2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david s poole

sounds to me from your description that you will need the following----------fan clutch-----probably radiator-------radiator cap----and depending on the colour of the plastic a new radiator reservoir.it's possible that the water pump is leaking[especially if the leaking happens as the engine is allowed to cool]----the almost instant heating up when you come to a stop suggests that the fan clutch is at fault.when warmed up you can probably turn off the engine but the fan will still be turning for a while?the radiators are made from aluminum and over the years the tubes will shrink so that at idle there is not enough flow-----but as soon as you hit the gas and speed up the temp comes back down.

David - question for you. I went down and started my car tonight, with all the info I have gotten from this board on my mind. I did notice that when I started it, it sounded like a fan or something was running. I also recall that I had not heard that before until the time I took the car out when apparently there was no coolant in it and the temp gauge went up to the red for maybe a few seconds (I shut it off pretty quickly and let it sit for a few mintues. I was not far from home, maybe 3-4 blocks). It seems like since then when I start the car I hear this fan running. Would that be the fan clutch that you are refering to above?

That fan sound is the only thing I hear. I don't hear any noises other than that coming from my engine.

david s poole · #33 03-19-2007, 09:17 AM

no,that would be the aux fan[s].apparently the temp switch[blue double pin] has gone bad and the circuit is doing what it is supposed to do when that happens i.e. run the fans at all times.

1991 300SE Owner · #34 03-19-2007, 09:21 AM

if the temp switch is bad, could that be another reason why the temp gauge goes up so much at a red light? I know that is not going to be the cause of the coolant leak!

Thanks.

david s poole · #35 03-19-2007, 09:31 AM

no that is a diff temp switch than the one used to operate the gauge.

1991 300SE Owner · #36 03-19-2007, 09:39 AM

Thanks David. I'm sure learning alot on this forum!

david s poole · #37 03-19-2007, 09:45 AM

you're welcome.

1991 300SE Owner · #38 03-27-2007, 11:55 PM

I just found the write up from the dealer. This was written up on Dec 17, 2004 which was obviously awhile ago. I see the head gasket and valve job on there and a couple people on here have said that if I needed a head gasket 2 years ago I would really know by now if I needed one. I don't know much about cars, but I tend to agree with those statements.

The write up also says water pump (has seepage), radiator, coolant bypass hose. (I think that is what the real problem with the car is).

I'm doing this post because it also says steering shock and p/s pump reseal kit. Does that mean they are trying to say my power steering pump is leaking? Can you guys tell me where I can check the fluid level for that? I know where it is on my Miata but I don't know where it is on my Benz. I read the recent post on here about leaking power steering fluid and if the result of that is having problems steering, I don't seem to have any problems steering my car when I drive it around the block.

It also says 2 Motor Mounts, 1 Trans Mount, 1 belt tensioner + shock. I don't know if they are talking about my shocks for my tires, but I had those replaced before I took the car in there.

Oddly enough they also say I need 6 spark plugs and this was Dec 2004. I replaced all spark plugs in Oct 2004 I really wonder sometimes if they ever even looked at my car completely.

Any help on this would be appreciated. It's probably going to be a few more weeks before I tow it in. I have a small hole in my exhaust manifold on my Miata and I need to get that fixed first since that is what I am mainly driving.

500selproud · #39 04-01-2007, 01:50 AM

Check your monovalve. The thing by the battery that has hoses going to it and sometimes that plastic case cracks and u could be loosing coolant that way. This is behind the motor up on the firewall it has two wires going to the top of it. Also check under the dash on the passenger's side for the floor board to be wet you might have a possibly leaking heater evaporator. Whatever it is should be simple! GOOD LUCK and please keep us all posted!

1991 300SE Owner · #40 04-27-2007, 03:36 PM

Well everyone, I am towing it in tomorrow to Mr. MB Motors. I should know soon what the problems are and I will let you know.

Thanks again for everyones help on here, I appreciate it!

1991 300SE Owner · #41 04-28-2007, 04:12 PM

I had my car towed in on a flat bed and when the driver took my car off of it there was coolant all over the truck bed.

I explained the whole thing to Enrique and he took a quick look under the hood and right away said I needed a water pump, he could see where it was leaking. He's going to replace that, then do a pressure test and tell me what is what.

I asked him about the head gasket and he pulled out the oil dip stick, looked at it, shook his head no and that was that!

Designo_E320 · #42 04-28-2007, 09:02 PM

Best of luck!

1991 300SE Owner · #43 04-30-2007, 09:17 PM

DIAGNOSIS:

Water pump. After Enrique put that in he did a pressure test and he said I didn't have any leaks. He told me he let my car run for a half hour and it did not go above 80 degrees.

I also needed a belt tensioner and shock. I have no idea what that is but he put that in.

So, out of the 10 items on the list the Mercedes dealer gave me in Dec 2004, I only needed 2 items. I will never go back to that place again. Imagine - they wanted to charge me $3,500. for a head gasket and valve job I don't even need!

I also needed front brakes, oil change, and whatever it is my A/C uses to run. My sliding sunroof is off the track, so he ordered the parts for that and should have them in a few days.

The needle on my dash for the RPM's does not work, so I am going to have him check that out. That happened to my Miata once. (it was the speedometer on that one and I replaced the cable). I am guessing it is the same senario here.

So, those are the problems in my 16 year old car. I've got no complaints!

Thanks again everyone - most everyone was right on the money. Enrique said my radiator is working perfectly and no reason to change it now.

If somebody could tell me what a belt tensioner plus shock is I would appreciate it. I didn't ask Enrique when he called me this afternoon, I could tell he was busy. I'm sure glad I found this guy. He has to be the most honest car mechanic I've met!

brewtoo · #44 05-01-2007, 02:20 PM

The belt tensioner keeps the serpentine (aka fan) belt tight. It is a legitimate maintenance item that does have a limited life.

The tach is electric and has no cable.

Good job dodging the sharks!

Pancho · #45 05-01-2007, 04:05 PM

Yep, way to stay with it. The waterpump.
This topic was worked over well. Nice to see.
If you leave it up to the dealer, his primary
objective is to bill, bill, bill. He wants to make you happy,
but he has a lot of people to pay. If you had left it up to him,
sure, he would have replaced the waterpump, and also every other
superfluous system part he could squeeze into the work order.
Have seldeom seen a dealer that didn't. They have a lot more
overhead than your typical independent mechanic. They
almost don't have a choice but to write big work orders,
and a MB dealer, they figure you've got $ growing
out of your ears.

A pet tip: Make sure your dog doesn't lap up any coolant.
It's sweet, and they like it, and it will kill them.
Some folks even use it as a dog/coyote poison.