I have read the posts about vanishing coolant on the 300E, but I still have a couple of questions.

my car: 1987 300E, m103 engine - approx 206,000 miles

It seems that the place coolant goes is out the exhaust if you need a head gasket, and that as a result the coolant and oil will mix. On my car (m103 engine), the coolant is just disappearing, not at an alarming rate, but needs to be topped up after long drives or a couple weeks. I've inspected the coolant and found no oil, and the oil shows no signs of coolant, yet there is the anti-freeze smell in the exhaust when the engine is up to temperature. Is there any other way for the coolant to get into the exhaust apart from the head gasket?

I also have noticed "wetness" on the passenger side of the engine originating from the valve cover seal over cylinders #1, 4, 5. Could this be the source of the problem with the coolant and it somehow is getting into the exhaust headers at the same time (perhaps through those gaskets)? The only reason I ask is because not long ago my exhaust broke putting stress on the headers and maybe loosened the gasket.

Thanks for your help.

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87 300E
202k on the clock