190E 2.3L Coolant Leak from Freeze Plug?
04-27-2010, 09:15 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1987 190E 2.3L 171,000 (Brohan)
190E 2.3L Coolant Leak from Freeze Plug?
1987 190E 2.3L occasionally leaking coolant from area deep above transmission. Using flashlight it looks like it is coming from a rubber drain hose; kind of like those on the old 300 diesels that drain rain from the plenum. I thought it was where the water pump drain line ran and bought a new pump and getting ready to install. Then, an MB mechanic I know, said that it is more common for an unreachable freeze plug to rot out than it is for the water pump to go bad. He basically said that I should set the car on fire and have a Viking funeral 'cause the car has to be disassembled to even see the plug. I can't find anything on this freeze plug anywhere. Any experience with this? I'm changing the pump anyway.
12-15-2010, 09:22 AM
#2
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1988 190e 2.3
I just had the same problem happen. My 1988 190e had been leaking coolant very slowly for several months and when I took it to a mechanic they found a leak from the coolant pump. They replaced it and a month later, my coolant light came on. That happened again a month later and when I took it in yesterday they told me that it was either the freezer plug or the head gasket that was leaking, but that to actually find out they entire engine would have to be disassembled. Their suggestion was to keep refilling coolant as long as I wanted it to run and start looking for another car.
12-17-2010, 06:12 PM
#3
Super Member
I replaced my water pump several years ago after it started puking. I have seen tons of water pumps go bad while never seeing one "freeze plug" go bad. If the leak is on the front of the engine then it is probably the water pump, if it is from the side or back of the engine it probably isn't the water pump.
As for setting the car on fire because of a water leak, I would question his mechanical abilities.
01-03-2011, 10:41 PM
#4
Member
Similar situation...but I think its a radiator pipe connection...
I had my mechanic replace the water pump after constant high volume leakage...that and a new radiator cap made my 1991 190 run very cool.
Lately I noticed that Im getting a small leak near the bottom of the radiator where a pipe goes from the block into the bottom of the radiator. The pipe has a protective spring around it and has a matching pipe on the far side of the radiator going into the other side of the block.
Given this 190 has 208K on it I would think the connection between the pipe and radiator is failing. I just put more fluid in it every so often as I drive the car to/from the airport each week...
Lately I noticed that Im getting a small leak near the bottom of the radiator where a pipe goes from the block into the bottom of the radiator. The pipe has a protective spring around it and has a matching pipe on the far side of the radiator going into the other side of the block.
Given this 190 has 208K on it I would think the connection between the pipe and radiator is failing. I just put more fluid in it every so often as I drive the car to/from the airport each week...
