C200 - Oil in expansion tank BUT....

[miker1]

I have emulsified oil in my expansion tank, BUT there is no sign of emulsification anywhere else [Oil filler or dipstick].

Is this likely to be a head gasket [in which case the front end will assault a tree at speed ], or can there be another reason?

The rad went while driving and the warning light went on but the temp didnt go much above 80 and I stopped within 2 miles. New rad put on.

Btw - where is the water drain point on this car?

 

[BlackC55]

Water drain is on the rad underneath the car. Its a little tap. There is a drain on the block too somewhere.

What year is it?

 

[miker1]

1997.

As an addendum, will this oil in the water knacker my air-con?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

It shouldn't, the aircon is a separate system.

 

[BlackC55]

Sound like a headgasket prolem to me. The oil is in the water but the water is not in the oil. Seeing no emulsion in the oil is not unusual when the head gasket goes.

Good luck with it

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Hi Miker, your engine coolant drain plug up will be under the exhaust manifold on the r/h side of the engine slightly towards the rear of the block. The plug doesn't need to come right out as it has an integral nozzle which you can fit a piece of rubber garden hose on to, just turn the plug anti-clockwise with a spanner and the coolant will come out through the hose. You shouldn't make any mess at all, not even a drip, with the hose directed into a large bowl. You will need the car on ramps or axle stands really to do the job. There is also a drain tap at the left hand side bottom of the radiator as BlackC55 has mentioned.
Ron