1983 230E Auto...cooling troubles!

[anewshape]

hello, i'm a newbie..to merc's and this forum..

my girlfriend got me the above car and i love it! i know all the stuff about the costs being negative to value etc etc and i don't care!

anyway, long story short it has cooling problems and it seems it's the head gasket..me and my dad can change it but i'm having trouble getting a replacement!

can anyone please offer any help on the location of these kinda parts...

cheers in advance!

Mark r

p.s. i'm well looking forward to having it back on the road so i can cruise around looking like a pimp!!

 

[clive williams]

hello, i'm a newbie..to merc's and this forum..

my girlfriend got me the above car and i love it! i know all the stuff about the costs being negative to value etc etc and i don't care!

anyway, long story short it has cooling problems and it seems it's the head gasket..me and my dad can change it but i'm having trouble getting a replacement!

can anyone please offer any help on the location of these kinda parts...

cheers in advance!

Mark r

p.s. i'm well looking forward to having it back on the road so i can cruise around looking like a pimp!!

Hi Mark,

Have you tried all the usual suppliers - Euro Car Parts, GSF etc? If they don't have it then go and talk to your friendly motor factors or engine rebuild or remanufacturers who ought to be able to supply a Payen gasket set for the top end. If you do take the head off check the flatness and have it corrected if necessary.
How do you know the head gasket has gone? If you fill it with water and start it does it blow it out of the overflow very readily. If not, then it could be a cooling blockage somewhere or indeed a faulty rad cap.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[television]

As Clive says, lets have more details of the problems, when, why ,how.

And welcome to the forum. Malcolm

 

[anewshape]

thanks everyone..

when i got it i drove it for 30 miles with no problems, then when nearly home the temperature guage started to rise (tut, typical!!). i checked the water level in the radiator and found it quite low..topped it up to the shoulder of the rad (just below the cap) and all was fine...until a day or two later when it did it again! i topped it up hoping it had been so low before that it just needed a load of water and withina day it was back again..obviously losing water with no visible drips or leakages..

if i open the cap on the radiator there is a frothy thing going on in there! so i'm guessing it's the head gasket..am i right? i would love you guys to tell me i'm wrong...!

if so, when i replace the gasket is there an easy way to check the head surface for defects/warping or is a professional the only option?

many thanks again..i will get this beauty running again, and i will return to the driving comfort of an armchair to which i have become accustomed.

mark r

p.s. euro car parts don't even seem to list my car model! is there another model that is more popular that mine shares parts with? not all lists have my exact model?

 

[TimN]

Check the oil and make sure that it isn't emulsifying with the collant. Whilst it isn't good to drive a car with a poor coolant system it is fatal to drive it without a good lubrication system. You want nice clear or slightly darkened oil and not brown slush sticking to your dip stick.

Perseverewith the likes of German, Swedish and French or EuroCar Parts. They do stock the head set for your vehicle.

To check for warping turn the head upside down and place a draughtsmans straight edge steel ruler diagonally across. If it rocks or it is possible to get a feeler gauge underneath any part then there is a problem. Then try on the other diagonal. If there is a problem then take it to an engine refinishers for a second opinion. A skim isn't that expensive but it can only be done a couple of times before there is nothing left to scim.

When you have the head off carefully inspect the underside for any minute cracks particularly between a valve seat and the spark plug thread.

Finally, because of the corrosive nature of tap water I recommend that you refill with de-ionised water.

 

[anewshape]

a great reply! thanks a million..

i'll check the oil quality..if it's not the head gasket what else is there to check/repair?

i tell you this is such a great forum..it can be a lonely place buying/owning an older car that has been forgotten by most..since joining here yesterday i feel confident and secure again..many thanks..

mark.

p.s. obviously you guys know so much more about merc's than me but if i can be of any assistance in other areas then i'll be very pleased. i am a musician so music is my chosen subject! all the best..

pps. GSF have the HG set i need so all is well there too..

 

[anewshape]

one more question...

when changing the head gasket will i need new head bolts?

is there anything else i will need to buy/replace..

many thanks..getting there slowly but surely..

mark r