Oil that looks like peanut butter...

EricBertol · 05-10-2012, 03:10 PM

What could be the cause of oil coming from the engine coolant container that looks like peanut butter? Was there anything i did or not do that made it happen? And is it true that the whole engine needs to be replaced because of this?

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Moreira_C230 · 05-10-2012, 03:24 PM

Looks like you've got a serious internal coolant leak somewhere....get that checked ASAP.

clkwork · 05-10-2012, 03:49 PM

There could be some serious damage depending on how long the car was run like that. Needing a new engine wouldn't be out of the question.

visit workshop!

SunnyRayToronto · 05-10-2012, 04:58 PM

If you have engine oil leaking into coolant system, do you also have coolant leaking into engine oil system? Perhaps a leaking (head) gasket that's supposed to keep the engine oil and coolant separate. Is the exhaust coming out of your exhaust pipe a whitish blue colour with a sweet smell?,... indicating there's coolant in your engine oil. How long has this been going on? If its just a head gasket then that'll need to be changed along with an engine flush and coolant flush should also be done. You'll also have to check for internal engine damage depending on how long it was running without proper lubrication.

Are you sure its engine oil as opposed to transmission oil which should be a bit reddish. Some of the earlier W/CL203 had Valeo radiator that tend to leak coolant into transmission via transmission cooler. Even though yours is a 2006 and not likely to have a Valeo radiator, I would assume that a broken transmission cooler could leak transmission oil into your coolant.

EricBertol · 05-10-2012, 05:18 PM

No smoke is coming out of the exhaust pipe. The coolant is like peanut butter but the engine oil still looks good. Does this mean that the engine is still ok and does not need to be replaced? Because we are being told by my mechanic that we need to replace the whole engine, the radiator, and other things related and that it will cost us about $7000+.... Is that true?

SunnyRayToronto · 05-10-2012, 05:32 PM

What do you mean "coolant is like peanut butter". Its peanut butter colour? Or consistency? Smooth peanut butter or crunchy flavor??? Photo would be nice.

First of all you have to figure out where the leak is coming from. How is this engine oil (or transmission oil) getting into your coolant system??? Most likely a leaking head gasket or hose improperly remounted,... maybe a few hundred dollars to fix.

Instead of troubleshooting for the leak, it seems that your "mechanic" would rather just replace the entire engine and radiator. Is your mechanic from a Mercedes-Benz Stealership, MB indy or just a regular mechanic. My suggestion, get a real mechanic,... a second opinion,.... an honest opinion,.... before you even think about spending that kind of money.

Whats the mileage?

EricBertol · 05-10-2012, 05:57 PM

Peanut butter in both color and consistency. Mileage is 80,000.

KalC240 · 05-10-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricBertol

Peanut butter in both color and consistency. Mileage is 80,000.

Wht's the temp reading? i assume PB does not flow well enough to cool the engine..

amx1397 · 05-10-2012, 11:48 PM

cracked head or block,, maybe head gasket but i bet on cracked head, did the car over heat within the last 3 to 4 months? if yep! then get the engine apart and find the leak,, the leak is the oil in getting into the coolant,--means the higher pressure of a combustion chamber is higher than the 16lbs of water pressure,, at night when in traffic, with cars maybe 10 car lengths behind you,,,floor it or just take off hard you will see a big cloud of smoke, that you cannot see in the day time,,,good luck. jim

C230 Sport Coup · 05-11-2012, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyRayToronto

? Smooth peanut butter or crunchy flavor???

Glyn M Ruck · 05-11-2012, 09:28 AM

It's emulsified coolant/oil. Likely a head gasket - Unusual on the M272.

Your mechanic is full of crap. You do not know if you have to replace the engine when you don't know what is wrong. It needs proper diagnosis!

Take some engine oil & put it on a hot stove plate or in a teaspoon & heat it with a cigarette lighter. If it crackles it has water/coolant in it.

If there is no water/coolant in the engine sump & the car runs normally get a test kit to test for combustion by-products in the coolant. If you don't find any you know its not a head gasket.

Then you have to contemplate if some idiot has put the wrong stuff in the coolant surge tank in which case a very thorough cooling system flush & coolant replacement is required.

Javvy · 05-11-2012, 09:58 AM

+1000 to what glyn said..........maybe some idiot put brake fluid in your coolant tank...or some thing like that..........

tommy · 05-11-2012, 10:56 AM

I think you're looking at the glass being half empty. I'd get some bread and jam and enjoy the fruits of my engine's labors.

It does make Sunny's question very important. Crunchy is where it's at.

05-10-2012, 03:24 PM	#2
Moreira_C230 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 276 Drives: 2006 C230 SS	Looks like you've got a serious internal coolant leak somewhere....get that checked ASAP. __________________ 06 C230 Sport 6 Speed , Staggered 18 inch Forgestar F14s, Custom Magnaflow dual exhaust, KW Varient 1 Coilovers, CF rear diffuser, C55 AMG Lip, custom quad projector 6000K DDM Tuning Bi-Xenons, 5000K white LED side markers, 5000K LED license plate bulbs

05-10-2012, 03:49 PM	#3
clkwork MBWorld Fanatic! 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newport News, VA, USA Posts: 1,225 Drives: CLK63 Black Series	There could be some serious damage depending on how long the car was run like that. Needing a new engine wouldn't be out of the question. visit workshop! __________________ 2012 VW Golf R 1999 Chevrolet Corvette 1989 BMW 325i 2002 GSX-R 750 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series (sold) 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 (sold)

05-11-2012, 09:28 AM	#11
Glyn M Ruck Super Moderator 1965 Jaguar 3.8 S Type Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 15,964 Drives: late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires	It's emulsified coolant/oil. Likely a head gasket - Unusual on the M272. Your mechanic is full of crap. You do not know if you have to replace the engine when you don't know what is wrong. It needs proper diagnosis! Take some engine oil & put it on a hot stove plate or in a teaspoon & heat it with a cigarette lighter. If it crackles it has water/coolant in it. If there is no water/coolant in the engine sump & the car runs normally get a test kit to test for combustion by-products in the coolant. If you don't find any you know its not a head gasket. Then you have to contemplate if some idiot has put the wrong stuff in the coolant surge tank in which case a very thorough cooling system flush & coolant replacement is required. __________________ Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 05-11-2012 at 09:35 AM.

05-11-2012, 09:58 AM	#12
Javvy Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Joisey Posts: 683 Drives: 02 C230 6MT ; 07 C280 4Matic	+1000 to what glyn said..........maybe some idiot put brake fluid in your coolant tank...or some thing like that.......... __________________

05-11-2012, 10:56 AM	#13
tommy MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Westwood, NJ Posts: 9,048 Drives: 2002 C230	I think you're looking at the glass being half empty. I'd get some bread and jam and enjoy the fruits of my engine's labors. It does make Sunny's question very important. Crunchy is where it's at. __________________ 2002 Ccoupe, smurfalicious: OE chipped, RennTech pullied & rear spoiler, Carlsson lip, 18" OZ ultraleggera rims, RogueEngineering stud conversion, Eibach Pro springs/Koni Sport struts, Eibach swaybars, Supersprint headers, Eisenmann race exhaust, Magnaflow cat, Classic Soft Trim interior w/driver's Recaro Sport seat, clear OEM projector headlights, Sparco Racing shiftknob, Lightning Autosports alcantara shiftboot w/ Simoni gated shift surround

05-10-2012, 04:58 PM	#4
SunnyRayToronto Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, eh! Posts: 656 Drives: 2003 C230 Sports Coupe, Paprika Metallic Red, Auto, Pano, Leather	If you have engine oil leaking into coolant system, do you also have coolant leaking into engine oil system? Perhaps a leaking (head) gasket that's supposed to keep the engine oil and coolant separate. Is the exhaust coming out of your exhaust pipe a whitish blue colour with a sweet smell?,... indicating there's coolant in your engine oil. How long has this been going on? If its just a head gasket then that'll need to be changed along with an engine flush and coolant flush should also be done. You'll also have to check for internal engine damage depending on how long it was running without proper lubrication. Are you sure its engine oil as opposed to transmission oil which should be a bit reddish. Some of the earlier W/CL203 had Valeo radiator that tend to leak coolant into transmission via transmission cooler. Even though yours is a 2006 and not likely to have a Valeo radiator, I would assume that a broken transmission cooler could leak transmission oil into your coolant.

05-10-2012, 05:18 PM	#5
EricBertol Newbie Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4 Drives: C230 2006	No smoke is coming out of the exhaust pipe. The coolant is like peanut butter but the engine oil still looks good. Does this mean that the engine is still ok and does not need to be replaced? Because we are being told by my mechanic that we need to replace the whole engine, the radiator, and other things related and that it will cost us about $7000+.... Is that true?

05-10-2012, 05:32 PM	#6
SunnyRayToronto Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, eh! Posts: 656 Drives: 2003 C230 Sports Coupe, Paprika Metallic Red, Auto, Pano, Leather	What do you mean "coolant is like peanut butter". Its peanut butter colour? Or consistency? Smooth peanut butter or crunchy flavor??? Photo would be nice. First of all you have to figure out where the leak is coming from. How is this engine oil (or transmission oil) getting into your coolant system??? Most likely a leaking head gasket or hose improperly remounted,... maybe a few hundred dollars to fix. Instead of troubleshooting for the leak, it seems that your "mechanic" would rather just replace the entire engine and radiator. Is your mechanic from a Mercedes-Benz Stealership, MB indy or just a regular mechanic. My suggestion, get a real mechanic,... a second opinion,.... an honest opinion,.... before you even think about spending that kind of money. Whats the mileage?

05-10-2012, 05:57 PM	#7
EricBertol Newbie Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4 Drives: C230 2006	Peanut butter in both color and consistency. Mileage is 80,000.

05-10-2012, 11:48 PM	#9
amx1397 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale FL. Posts: 364 Drives: 05 crossfire w/SL55 drivetrain installed by Rudy Compart Intake/Needswings best et-11.22 @ 126	cracked head or block,, maybe head gasket but i bet on cracked head, did the car over heat within the last 3 to 4 months? if yep! then get the engine apart and find the leak,, the leak is the oil in getting into the coolant,--means the higher pressure of a combustion chamber is higher than the 16lbs of water pressure,, at night when in traffic, with cars maybe 10 car lengths behind you,,,floor it or just take off hard you will see a big cloud of smoke, that you cannot see in the day time,,,good luck. jim

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