95 E320, 140K. Never had a head gasket replacement. I am having some oil show up on the engine bottom cover and some drips on the gravel in my driveway. I can't tell that the oil level has changed. More concerning, the coolant resevoir was dry when I checked it today. My wife drives this car so she doesn't pay any attention to the guages. It runs just fine so I don't think she's overheated it. I filled the tank and it stays at the same level (so I assume I caught it about the time just the tank was dry, not the whole coolant system).

• SOOOOO......where is my coolant? The oil on the dipstick looks like nice clean oil, not milky or anything which I would have assumed if the coolant was getting into the oil).

• Is this typical of the M104 head gasket failure or should I be looking for something else wrong? I was under the impression I'd see oil in the coolant, not that I'd lose my coolant.

• Can someone give me some pointers on what my problem is?

If the answers above are that I'm screwed, it is the head gasket, please read further.

• Anyone care to give me a gut feel opinion on is the gasket repair a DIY job (assuming this is my problem)? I have read some write-ups but I'd like to hear from some folks that have actually done it and either been successful or had problems.

• I have done most of my MB repairs on the E320 and my 300D but this would be by far the most invasive. I have a nice home shop to work in and an engine hoist but am hesitant to screw with my wife's daily driver. Am I nuts to try it?