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C200 2010 blueefficiency white smoke from engine bay
Hiya guys. I'm really hoping someone on here has some pointers. The smoke is white and it smells sweet, even inside the car the smell is very present. And she is using coolant. I started noticing this when I changed the thermostat housing(bad sensor) but I suspect the problem has been there from previous owner. Just got the car a few weeks ago and she has not been looked well after.
I have tried searching, and found results indicating "radiator clip", expansion tank cap and the diesel filter heating/seating thing as likely culprits for a coolant leak. What is confusing is that I cannot see any leaks, and the smoke seems to be coming from the exhaust manifold side of the engine(passenger side, EU/US)
There are no signs of oil in coolant or coolant in oil.
Three times now it started smoking during the last two weeks(~400km) I top it off with fresh coolant, all is well for a few days and then it does it again.
I cannot understand how a constant leak can make this happen, as she drives fine for days and suddenly decides to blow smoke. So then im left with the cap for the expansion tank, can that be the culprit? Somehow spraying the engine bay with a fine mist of coolant, not leaving any wet spots?
TLDR: White smoke from engine bay some times, car using coolant, what can cause it?
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Well, you have a coolant leak somewhere. Next time, take a picture of the engine bay with the white cloud. Your car is 14 years old and there may be a crack in a flange or a pin hole in a hose.
There is actually a kit used to evacuate the air from the coolant system AFTER you drain the coolant. Part of the process is to vaccum the system using an air compressor and see if the vacuum holds. If it does not, you have a leak.
Well, you have a coolant leak somewhere. Next time, take a picture of the engine bay with the white cloud. Your car is 14 years old and there may be a crack in a flange or a pin hole in a hose.
There is actually a kit used to evacuate the air from the coolant system AFTER you drain the coolant. Part of the process is to vaccum the system using an air compressor and see if the vacuum holds. If it does not, you have a leak.
Thank you for the reply. That's a nice piece of equipment
Will try to take a pic if it happens again. I guess my plan of attack is to start disassembling the cooling system looking for cracks, don't want to keep feeding her coolant and hope for the best.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Tannpirker
Thank you for the reply. That's a nice piece of equipment
Will try to take a pic if it happens again. I guess my plan of attack is to start disassembling the cooling system looking for cracks, don't want to keep feeding her coolant and hope for the best.
Then you definitely want that coolant system refiller kit for once you find your leak. It's very effective at refilling the coolant and eliminating air pockets.
For the price, something like this might work better since the adapters are specific to different coolant tanks. It's also a system pressure tester.
I seem to have found a leak, seems damp around the connection and it is also loose, I can wiggle it's base but cannot see it in there. Can anyone advice me to what this connection is called?
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Is this what you are referring to? Is that water or fuel. I'd use a paper towel to absorb some and see if there is an odor. It does not look like coolant as there is no white residue from dried coolant in the area.
Is this what you are referring to? Is that water or fuel. I'd use a paper towel to absorb some and see if there is an odor. It does not look like coolant as there is no white residue from dried coolant in the area.
The liquid is clear and does not smell anything, I will not worry about this for now. Might be condensation even, I live in Norway and we have cold nights.
As for the leak I found, seems like a hellish location to work on. I hope someone has some insights on this. It is definitely a coolant line, assuming it has to do with the cabin heater
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Tannpirker
The liquid is clear and does not smell anything, I will not worry about this for now. Might be condensation even, I live in Norway and we have cold nights.
As for the leak I found, seems like a hellish location to work on. I hope someone has some insights on this. It is definitely a coolant line, assuming it has to do with the cabin heater
What's it taste like? (j/k)
While it could be condensation, that seems like a poor design and unlike Mercedes. Is there normally a cover over that area?
As far as the coolant hose, I can't help you there as I am unfamiliar with that engine. At least if you take it to a shop, you can point out the suspected problem and ASK THEM TO CONFIRM before repairing or replacing anything.
While it could be condensation, that seems like a poor design and unlike Mercedes. Is there normally a cover over that area?
As far as the coolant hose, I can't help you there as I am unfamiliar with that engine. At least if you take it to a shop, you can point out the suspected problem and ASK THEM TO CONFIRM before repairing or replacing anything.
Good luck.
Lol, I should have tasted!
Yeah, there is a engine cover over there. But still a weird one, will keep an eye on it
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