Styling01

Does anyone have some tips/suggestions on a reoccurring problem I have been having with my 94 E320....I first purchased the car about 4 months ago and after sitting in traffic one day my low water light came on and eventually I saw steam coming from the engine. I took it to a shop and was told my water tank had a crack in it...I replaced the tank and everything was fine for a while. Recently, I was driving again in traffic, with the air conditioning on, and the light once again came on. Additionally, the car's water tank began to steam. Although the water is running hot, the engine is not initially heating up. Does anyone have any tips, could this be a lack of coulant or a broken thermostat. The problem only seems to occur when the airconditioner is on, could this be involved. I would greatly appreciate any tips someone would have to offer.

ashman

When was the last time the cap ont he water tank was changed?

battlecat714

that might be...or a lack, like you said it yourself, of coolant...or leak somewhere???

Brian McL

If you are loosing coolant with no apparent leak....the head gasket may need replacing. Not at all uncommon on your engine...M104.

mhorn

check for a leak around your water pump. Mine was slowly leaking for a couple of months when I had the A/C on, then it just full on stated gushing. New water pump fixed the problem.

kwb210

"""When was the last time the cap ont he water tank was changed?"""

Excellent and low cost comment. Hope you get lucky and find a worn out cap. With the cap off look at the rubber for any signs of oil. A slight oily residue indicates a head gasket that might be on its way toward failure.
good luck
kurt

neanderthal

on my 300E there is a pipe that is connected to the coolant curcuit that goes into the windshield washer bottle. when optioned with the auxilliary heater, it recirculates hot water in that bottle so that those in cold climates can have warm water to wash/melt snow off thier windshields.

when that cracked slightly i had constant coolant losses.

Styling01

Do you happen to have an idea of the cost I can expect to replace head gasket or water pump...Thanks!

battlecat714

Prices can range from $1500 to $2500 for the head gasket replacement. Expect the water pump replacement to run around $500 to $900 at the dealer...although there are always some DIY's that can save you some $$$.

black320

Hi there,

Am having the same problem except that it reaches 100, and when I turn it off, the water come out from the additional house next to the fendor. then the light comes on.

LaddC

My 1991 300E was showing low coolant level. I replaced the sensor in the overflow tank , easy, and the problem was solved. The old one was leaking on the wire harness.

jas2wa

94 e320 here- just turned 110k-

head gasket and water pump are recent, among other things-

The other day I thought I smelled coolant, and then I pulled my car into the install bay at Crutchfield for a new head unit to be installed- talking to the install guy, notice steam coming out from under the hood in front- step out, and the car had vomited about a half gallon of coolant onto the shop floor. Embarrassing, to say the least! Especially after 1400 head gasket job from the dealer the week before! Anyway, I found that the overflow line was unsnapped where it connects to the top of the radiator- maybe the coolant was slightly overfilled or this connection simply came loose, showering the engine in hot coolant.

Snapped it back in place, temp was and is fine, then low coolant light came on so I topped up the overflow and it has been perfectly fine since. Lost just enough coolant to turn on the light apparently. It isn't a very secure connection on the overflow line, give it a once over-

JAS

mhorn

one more thought, those radiators are notorious for breaking at the top of the neck where the hose connection is. Make sure yours is in good shape, but don't go pulling on it too hard. I was looking at a used W124 once and the owner was telling me about the weak radiator and the neck broke off in his hand. Needles to say I passed on the car.