190 coolant leak?

[allende]

Hi, this is about my 1990 190e 2.0.
I am losing coolant fairly badly- 1 and a half litres over last 150miles. There are no signs of a leak anywhere.
I fear the head gasket but there is no white smoke at all, no overheating- never goes above 90 degrees and is running well.
The coolant is a brown colour which would indicate the radiator is fairly rusty inside?
Anyway, my question- where could it be leaking coolant from- there are no obvious leaks? Or could it be the head gasket?
Thanks in advance.

 

[allende]

Oh just to add no mayo in the oil.

 

[rio678]

Well if there isnt any leaks, most certainly it's using Water, so could be head gasket, does the heater still blow hot ok? it could be leaking from the heater matrix, that happened to me once!

 

[Stevie A]

If automatic box it could be going into the gearbox via the transmission oil cooler pipes that go into the radiator. Check under the water pump as it has a little hole underneath that leaks when the pump is about to fail.

 

[allende]

Well if there isnt any leaks, most certainly it's using Water, so could be head gasket, does the heater still blow hot ok? it could be leaking from the heater matrix, that happened to me once!

This could be it?-

The drivers side blows warmish but is never getting that hot. It is also taking ages to warm up. For instance I have driven around today ( quite a warm day) for 1/2 hour on full heat and felt very comfortable. Only just got the car so not sure what is normal for it. Would a leak here make it blow less warm or stop warmth altogether?

 

[rio678]

your floor pans dry? it would affect heating, - i would however have a stiff test (test of cylinder gases in the water tank) done at your garage , it would confirm a Blown Head Gasket most certainly if that was the case.

 

[Stevie A]

This could be it?-

The drivers side blows warmish but is never getting that hot. It is also taking ages to warm up. For instance I have driven around today ( quite a warm day) for 1/2 hour on full heat and felt very comfortable. Only just got the car so not sure what is normal for it. Would a leak here make it blow less warm or stop warmth altogether?

I have read of the heater matrix being corroded and leaking in the bulkead area so being invisible to spot. Sounds like you may have the answer.

 

[allende]

Thanks for all the help so far.
The heater matrix does not look easy to access- is it?

 

[rio678]

Fraid not, you have to remove the dash to check...... surely you might be able to bypass the heater matrix pipes to see if the leak stops? not sure someone might be able to elaborate on this

 

[shovel]

Hi
My car loses coolant too, but only when the heater is on - I found that I have a leak on the heater valve, it is located on the bulkhead drivers side (just follow the heater coolant pipe in the engine bay),hope this helps you

 

[funks]

I had a similar problem on my 190D. I have heard various plausible answers to this problem, it is solved by pouring an anti-leak agent in the coolant tank. hope this will help your case.