coolant leak 2005 c230 kompressor - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

briandownunda · #1 04-04-2014, 02:54 PM

I have a coolant leak at the back of the engine, drivers side on my 2005 c230 kompressor. I have removed the plastic trim underneath and found coolant dripping off of the AC lines, which obviously is coming from somewhere above. It looks like it is coming from somewhere between the firewall and the rear of the engine, but it is very hard to see with visual inspection where it might be coming from.

Any ideas/suggestions would be most appreciated.

briandownunda · #2 04-11-2014, 05:46 PM

after running my car around with no plastic covers underneath, today I saw coolant dripping from below. I jacked up the car & climbed underneath it. I saw coolant dripping off the AC lines as well as off the transmission pan. With a light I carefully looked to see if I could spot where the coolant was coming from. It appears to be dripping down the drivers side of the transmission just in front of the transmission pan. I cannot see any hoses leaking, nor any drips above the transmission. Any ideas on where this leak might be?

I am curious what would happen if the heater core leaked, would it drip inside the car, or outside?

RichardM98 · #3 04-11-2014, 08:30 PM

The problem when looking for a leak after driving is the air turbulence and forward motion. Try cleaning the suspected area as well as possible and then run the engine until it reaches normal temp without driving. Then examine for leaks.

briandownunda · #4 04-12-2014, 06:51 AM

thanks for the advice Richard! I have since left the car idling and watched from underneath the car while running. The coolant is coming from somewhere at the rear of the engine/on top of of the transmission. There is no way for me to get up in there to see the source unfortunately

Any ideas on what could be causing it would be great!

EJHumber · #5 04-13-2014, 07:53 PM

I had a leak in a very similar spot on a om 617 engine and it ended up being the head gasket at the back of the engine was blown out and leaking. not sure about a c230 but its an idea. Do you have a cooling system pressure tester??

Hirnbeiss · #6 04-14-2014, 07:33 AM

Get a mechanic's mirror and a flashlight. Wth some good contortions, you can usually see every key spot (like the head to block junction).

briandownunda · #7 04-14-2014, 11:16 AM

thanks for the suggestions guys! I will get a ahold of a pressure tester & a mirror and see if I can spot the leak. I am hoping that it isn't the head gasket.

BTW, does anyone know the symptoms of a heater core leak on these vehicles? Does the coolant actually leak inside the cabin, or is it somehow channeled outside the cabin?