Blown head gasket?
 

Hi lads,

I wonder if any of you well informed guys can shed some light please...

I replaced my header tank a few days ago. The old one was discoloured and needed a change.

Anyway i replaced it and topped up the coolant.

I drove it about 3 miles yesterday, coolant temp was fine at 90c. But when i looked under the hood i could see some liquid (coolant?) on the sump sheild.

Anyway today i drove about 10 miles to a friends who is a car mechanic. Upon getting there the temperature rose to about 105-110. I switched off.

I opened up the hood to see the coolant pouring out of the header tank relief hose. Topped up with coolant again, drove down the street about 300 yards and same thing...Coolant pouring everywhere.

My friend then noticed i had put the hose that goes from the thermostat cap into the hole that is used for the relief hose, and the relief hose into the other hole. Basically got them mixed up.

He changed these around, topped up and all was fine.

My question is would this have caused any long lasting damage. On the way home the temperature did not rise above 90c, and for most parts was about 82c.

Any reassuring advice would be great! The car is a 190E by the way.

I think the temperature needs to get to 120 for some time to make some damage to the engine or the head or head gasket. I think there sould be no problem.

Check the engine oil and coolant to see if they got mixed. If you find oil mixed with coolant, then you have a problem with the head or head gasket.

you'll be fine that is a mistake i've seen many times.

Thanks Dave! I really appreciate the advice and reassurance! :-)

No oil is in the coolant tank...