1997 E200 overheating problems

[JamesNeil]

Our E200 overheated last year and it went into the red, we were really worried about the head gasket but then it settled down and we had no further problems. It has overheated but not gone into the red since, but maybe only because we have stopped and cooled it down. Now we find that there is a nasty light brown goo that we can can skim from the top of the water in the radiator. We would appreciate any advice about the problem and what it might cost to fix it, we love this car and want to keep it going for as long as possible.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Could be a head /head gasket crack . From what you say ,there is a suggestion of oil or carbon contaminating the coolant. Have you been using the Manufacturer's recommended coolant or just water?

 

[JamesNeil]

Hi Aussie Nick and thank you for your reply. We have always used the recommended coolant.
jamesneil

 

[Aussie Nick]

It sounds like carbon contamination From a crack or leak close to the exhaust side of the head. Hard to say exactly but this would be my best guess. It could be oil but generally you would find traces of this in the oil in the sump.What colour is the sump oil?

 

[wireman]

The goo is probably what was the antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor, if you get exhaust gasses injected into the coolant when the unit is over heated the goo is the first sign of potential trouble, could be a damaged cyl head gasket.

Change your coolant asap, flush it as well if you like and do monitor the coolant level daily for a month or two to establish whether you are loosing some of it or like your old stuff its also going rusty brown, before it gets disasterously low and cracks your cylinder head or wrecks your engine.

If unattended the goo will settle in the heater and radiator running the risk of blockage in one or more tubes.

MB specify 2 yearly coolant changes.