05 c230 kompressor spark plug wells full of coolant.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
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2005 c230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
05 c230 kompressor spark plug wells full of coolant.
Greetings Everyone!
What is the cause of coolant inside sparkplug wells?
I Cleaned all 4 cylinders, pulled the sparkplugs and they are dry.
Could it be a blown Head Gasket?
Any Info greatly appreciated!
What is the cause of coolant inside sparkplug wells?
I Cleaned all 4 cylinders, pulled the sparkplugs and they are dry.
Could it be a blown Head Gasket?
Any Info greatly appreciated!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 795
Likes: 189
From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
IMHO, it's very unlikely that it's a blown head gasket if the plugs were wet on the outside, but dry on the inside. The head gasket is below the spark plug wells and when they are blown, they will either
1) dribble down from the bottom edge of the cylinder head;
2) allow coolant to mix with the engine oil; or
3) allow coolant to enter the combustion chamber (thus having the plugs be wet on the inside).
Are you loosing any coolant in the radiator/expansion tank? My suspicion would be that you have a leak in a hose, the radiator or expansion tank. Take a careful look around the engine, engine compartment and radiator. Pay special attention to all hoses. What you're looking for is water marks (think hard water spots) where coolant is leaking or spraying if it's leaking under pressure.
Otherwise, did you have the engine washed in the past?
1) dribble down from the bottom edge of the cylinder head;
2) allow coolant to mix with the engine oil; or
3) allow coolant to enter the combustion chamber (thus having the plugs be wet on the inside).
Are you loosing any coolant in the radiator/expansion tank? My suspicion would be that you have a leak in a hose, the radiator or expansion tank. Take a careful look around the engine, engine compartment and radiator. Pay special attention to all hoses. What you're looking for is water marks (think hard water spots) where coolant is leaking or spraying if it's leaking under pressure.
Otherwise, did you have the engine washed in the past?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 795
Likes: 189
From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
I just remembered another trick to finding a leak (it's been a while since I've really meddled with wrenches and a grease monkey suit, so I'm a little rusty).
Run the engine to full operating temperature.
Shut the engine off and open the hood (best if done in a quiet area).
Stick your head in there and listen for a hiss while you look out for a water stream, water squirting or steam coming out of somewhere. Stay at it for a few minutes, as it will not always be immediate.
Be careful you don't get squirted in an eye or otherwise burn yourself.
When the hot water stops circulating it will build pressure and it becomes a lot easier to find leaks that may otherwise not be obvious when the engine is cool.
Run the engine to full operating temperature.
Shut the engine off and open the hood (best if done in a quiet area).
Stick your head in there and listen for a hiss while you look out for a water stream, water squirting or steam coming out of somewhere. Stay at it for a few minutes, as it will not always be immediate.
Be careful you don't get squirted in an eye or otherwise burn yourself.
When the hot water stops circulating it will build pressure and it becomes a lot easier to find leaks that may otherwise not be obvious when the engine is cool.
