Ingenieur

how hot did the oil get?
what were the outside air temperatures?
when the shop looked at it was there ANY coolant in the system? was it still leaking?
if you were reading water temps you still had some fluid in the system, but some air too, hence the fluxuating readings
it's good you only drove for a minute or so and under low speed/light load

I'm not sure you damaged the tranny fluid in such a short time
I'm not sure it would even get hotter under this scenario (does the tranny have a cooler that used engine water?)

glad it wasn't a big issue

olszowa12

Outside temps were about 0 degrees celsius (32*F)
The oil temp went up to 140C / 284F when I turned off the car.

When I got to the gas station, I checked the coolant level and the reservoir was empty.
But when we moved the car to the tow truck, there were some coolant spots on the parking space.

I will find out on Tuesday if it was minor.

Critter

2 scenarios, coolant lose was from leak from a crack over a long period, or leak was after pipe burst under 16 PSI and evacuated most of the system. These engines run hot to the touch when operating with full coolant now take that away and the temps rise exponentially. Just I like to side on the cautious and not the Oh I should have spent 500 dollars for oil change and trans service but now I have a 3-5 thousand dollar trans overhaul. Op stated no heat so chances are it was very low on coolant and the trans is cooled by the cooler in the bottom tank. IMO To the op just how low was the broken connection in the system, Good Luck, Hope all is well.

olszowa12

The hose disconnected at a tri-connecter (in the mid-height/middle of the front bumper).

Mort

That was an awful scare with all the head bolt issues. I hope the news is good from your Indy shop. Discuss this with the shop and I am sure you will figure out the best course of action. GL

Karl901

If your near 40K + miles many are starting to fail.
I heard MBof Pompano, Fl had 4 alone last month.

Ingenieur

the tranny cooler is air cooled (not water)
same for the power steering
the upper oil cooler is air
the lower oil cooler is air (with an aux fan)

olszowa12

So what you are saying is that the tranny oil was not affected by this issue?

Ingenieur

yes, in my opinion...provided you have been performing the scheduled tranny maintenance per 'the book' I would not change it
if you haven't (and won't in the future) been doing the regular fluid changes (40k miles in the US iirc), I'd do one now...

the tranny is on it's own cooling loop, you only drove it for a minute or two, under light load, in cool temps, and I assmue level ground (at least not pulling a trailer up a mountain, lol)

depending on when your last oil change was I might change it
if you just (a few k ago) did a change, I wouldn't
if you are almost due for one (a few k to go), I would do it now
look at the oil, smell it, sometimes getting it nice and hot (for short period, and not too hot, >350 F) is good, cleans everyhting really well, including the oil itself; burns off the water, fuel and other volitales

if the hose broke at the bottom of the expansion tank (the highest point in the system for a reason) you probably had coolant in the system so it's not as bad is it seems

you noticed it (you'ld be surprise, or perhaps not, how many wouldn't even notice it, lol)
you drove carefully to a safe spot which was only a minute away (many would drive until it stopped due to damage!)
I personally wouldn't sweat it

olszowa12

I change the transmission oil, filters and gasket every 40'000km.
I'll definitely change the engine oil and filters.
Thanks for all your help. I'll give you guys an update tomorrow.
I hope it's all good

olszowa12

Ok small update - we replaced the connector but it turned out there still was a leak.
Now I need a new water pump...

C63Analyst

Glad to hear it was just a false alarm, love your car too much to see it die!

Critter

Now did the water pump fail because of normal wear and tear or was it because of running dry and extreme heat?

olszowa12

I have no idea which died first, but I can only assume it was in this order:
1) hose slipped off the connector
2) water pump died.

The water pump is now leaking coolant at a slow rate.

avery.whss

i know this is off topic.


but is this you matt? looks like fun

olszowa12

Sick skills - it looks like Japan or somewhere in Asia.
The sound is insane

Kriston

Hey Matt, was there an intermittent loss of power? if so, its most likely a faulty water pump. I had my Water pump die on my old 335 and it was almost identical in symptoms of what you explained.

olszowa12

Exactly. The car didn't have power and I couldn't accelarate at all. I barely got to the gas station.

Kriston

You got to 160+ KM on your stock water pump - if you have to swap it out now, I say you got good mileage out of your old one. Just some needed maintenance. Hoping she is good to go soon!

roadtalontsi

you never know with water pumps. Typically in the best case scenario they start seeping out of the weep hole and it is noticed during a service. Other times they just start puking or making awful grinding noises as the bearings go out and the blades hit the housing. I've seen them fail at 10k miles and 150k miles. Anytime i see one over 100k thats original i definately recommened replacement. Also good idea to go ahead and replace the thermostat at the same time although benz thermostats usually only stick open not closed and the check engine light will turn on for it but you never know.

Ya dont worry about trans fluid, some of the other cars use coolant for trans cooling but not c63's so your ok on that. Change of oil is never a bad idea with high temps like that - breaks it down much quicker.

olszowa12

Thanks for the info guys. I've never experienced a broken water pump so it's useful to read some info on it.
I ordered a new water pump from Germany, should be here by Monday.

olszowa12

Final update: The car is up and running once again

Parts replaced - hose connector, water pump, water pump pulley, water pump gasket, and coolant.
Total cost: $900 including labor.

Oil change coming on Tuesday. Thanks to all for advice and help

One thing I want to mention - we checked the diagrams carefully and we found that the gearbox is cooled with fluid not air. There is a hose that goes from the oil cooler to the transmission.

Ingenieur

there are 2 hoses that circulate tranny fluid through an air cooled radiator mounted at the main radiator (also one for power steering fluid)

fluid cooled means the engine cooling water is used in a fluid (cooling system water) to fluid (tranny fluid) heat exchanger
it is not

glad it all worked out

http://www.genuinemercedesparts.com/...iagram=5777475
this is the tranny cooler and the power steering is on the top with 2 hoses coming off it
6 is the tranny fluid thermostat and the hoses are not shown (2 going to the tranny)

Kriston

Good to hear she is back up and running buddy!

DuaneC63

Thank your guardian angle. Your first post screamed failed head bolts. You lucked out. Best of luck in the future.