EricBertol

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?

Moreira_C230

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

clkwork

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

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

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

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

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

KalC240

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

amx1397

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

Glyn M Ruck

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

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

tommy

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.

Oossie

Did you guys find the cause of the peanut butter smooth like fluit in the previous posts - please help - I did take the engine oil out and it is clean as normal - the car also dont smoke and dont overheat ? Please advise how they fixed your peanut butter problem