Radiator on a Merc 220 Estate 93 reg

[starlitegaize]

Hi there,

I'm having to top up my radiator every other day - does this mean I might have a leak? There's no sign if the car's been standing ie no wet patch under the car. I've been using water to top it up, would adding the required coolant be any better?
It's a fantastic car, I've only had it for 3 months so a little advice would be really helpful.
thanks,
Robin

 

[stringerdavid@hotmail.com]

Topping up radiator

Have you checked under the oil-filler cap to see if there is an emulsified white'ish deposit?

I'm thinking along the lines of a cylinder head gasket that might need replacing.

 

[starlitegaize]

Whiteish deposit...

I've checked under the oil filler cap, no, luckily there's no white deposit.
thanks,
Robin

 

[Schtum]

If you have to keep topping it up then it is leaking. You should be topping it up with 50% water 50% (good quality) antifreeze. But the fluid loss needs finding and sorting. You might need to get under the car to spot the leak? If you're unsure, take it to a recommended local garage and ask them to check it over.

If it leaks big time and you don't stop the engine will cook. : - (

 

[starlitegaize]

Re: Leaky Rads

Thanks, Schtum, I've got to get the exhaust sorted, so I'll get my chap to look at the rad. Anyone ever used that Radweld? It says I have to flush it out - where's the valve for me to do that?

 

[rdm555]

If you get the cooling system pressure tested and the head compression tested it will show up any leaks. Mercedes is one of the few cars that can leak coolant through the cylinder head without it mixing with the oil, so you may not get the white stuff in the oil cap. The above tests will tell you one way or another and only take a few minutes so won't cost much (get a quote first 20 mins max) and at least you'll know for sure.

 

[Bolide]

Water leaks are usually pinholes in the rad, leaky water pumps or failing CHG, possibly in that order. I'd suspect the water pump if there are no obvious signs of a leak in the rad

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[starlitegaize]

Rad

Ah.. This sounds like it's getting expensive... (boo hoo)

I filled it up with plain water yesterday - one of those litre bottles from the tap... There's no white deposits around the oil cap... no wet patches under the car if she's been standing overnight... Could it just be (he asked hopefully) that I've been using plain water to fill up the rad, and the viscosity isn't thick enough to prevent the evapouration of water...
Thanks,

Robin

 

[starlitegaize]

Rad

If you get the cooling system pressure tested and the head compression tested it will show up any leaks. Mercedes is one of the few cars that can leak coolant through the cylinder head without it mixing with the oil, so you may not get the white stuff in the oil cap. The above tests will tell you one way or another and only take a few minutes so won't cost much (get a quote first 20 mins max) and at least you'll know for sure.

Any ideas of garages in London who would do this?

 

[television]

No that would not do it, if the rad was leaking , that often shows up as a green deposit around the leak, it would do no harm to try one of the sealers, not just a rad sealer but an sealer for the head as well. I have known these to work for long periods of time

 

[starlitegaize]

Tried some Radweld.. did 140 miles and the coolant light came on. Stuck in traffic in london. Getting more worried by the minute, luckily no harm done. any ideas what the mechanic might find other than having to replace the rad if I take it to my indie mechanic?
Thanks,

 

[television]

I still say that there must be a wet or damp patch somewhere if it is the water pump or the rad

 

[kth286]

How many miles car done ?

Very likely water pump as they do have a limited life.

Only let a Mercedes specialist work on the car NOT a general workshop/garage, as there are lots of peculuarites on Mercs that a general garage will not have experience of, as they rarely see Mercs in the workshop.

 

[starlitegaize]

Hmm, well that's all very strange - I've now had three weeks of lovely driving and no coolant light coming on... car going like a dream, apart from the noisy (end box) exhaust which will be replaced soon. thanks for all your help, I'm also taking the car up to George in Alperton to give it a quick once over.

 

[television]

thats good news, lets keep our fingers crossed

 

[Mark Merc]

I think the rad weld has mended, temporarily, a head gasket leak. When it starts leaking again, and it will, hae your mechanic check the exhaust for excessive moisture. This process can steam away your pistons if not dealt with. I has a V8 that had to be scrapped due to excessive spalding by steam. It ate away a third of the piston head and part of the cylinder block as well.

 

[Miffy]

I think the rad weld has mended, temporarily, a head gasket leak. When it starts leaking again, and it will, hae your mechanic check the exhaust for excessive moisture. This process can steam away your pistons if not dealt with. I has a V8 that had to be scrapped due to excessive spalding by steam. It ate away a third of the piston head and part of the cylinder block as well.

Welcome to the forum Mark, but I think the OP has found his problem, as that thread was just about 4 years old

 

[grober]

Most likely to have been a water pump gland leak which the leak sealant may have cured temporarily. The 4 cylinder 111 engine water pumps are not too expensive to replace and a possible DIY http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=51628 If its the CHG that's suspect then get a garage to do a coolant headspace "sniff test" for combustion gas bubbles in the coolant with an exhaust gas analyser- very sensitive but inexpensive test- takes minutes.

 

[Miffy]

Most likely to have been a water pump gland leak which the leak sealant may have cured temporarily. The 4 cylinder 111 engine water pumps are not too expensive to replace and a possible DIY http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=51628 If its the CHG that's suspect then get a garage to do a coolant headspace "sniff test" for combustion gas bubbles in the coolant with an exhaust gas analyser- very sensitive but inexpensive test- takes minutes.

old post from 2007, the OP hasnt even been here for over a year