Head Gasket ?

[angat1]

I have a 1991 Mercedes Benz 300 SE I had noticed a creamy substance in the coolant tank I flushed the coolant system out till clear water came out of all ends then refilled the system 1 week later the creamy substance has returned if it is a head gasket can I use a head gasket sealant and how log would that prolong that from happing again, If need be to replace head gasket how involved is the head job? I've torn down many motors in the past is it difficult to do a gasket on the Mercedes, Thank you for your time!!!

[JohnM.]

Yessir. Oil in the coolant tank is definitely a sure sign of a bad head gasket. I would advise doing it sooner rather than later. All of that oil circulating through your coolant system is really gumming things up.

It's not a hard job. There are just a lot of steps, or "mini-projects" as I like to call them. There aren't too many special tools needed. It should take you a long weekend to complete the job.

You will need to decide how thorough of a project you want this to be. At a bare minimum you will need to replace the head gasket itself, and buy new bolts.

But there are a number of maintenance items that should be done IMO (and are easier now, than later), if they haven't been done already. Including but not limited to:

-Belt tensioner
-Water pump
-Chain tensioner
-Check plastic timing rails
-Valve stem seals / Valve guides (if needed)
-Buy all new cylinder head sensors (approx 3)
-Buy all new rubber coolant hoses (including the short one in between head/WP)

Here are a few threads that might help:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=28059
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=66122
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=49427
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=75756&highlight=M103+head+gasket&page=2