Headgasket
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 412
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From: Derbyshire, England
Headgasket
Well, after setting out for work this morning I discovered a trail of smoke behind me. Luckly I'ld only traveled a few hundred yards so I quickly turned the car around and returned home.
The exhaust is wet and the smoke seemed white so I presume it's a gasket letting in water. The radiator bottle seemed a little low but only by about 500ml, the oil however seems fine.
So;
Does anyone know if the use of MB computers are needed to reset my car afterwards? How long a job is it on the MB time sheet? Will I need a new cat converter? And is their anything else worth doing whilst the heads off (timing chain, valves etc.)
Also, does anyone know of a good specialist in the Derby area? The only one I know of is Benz Balverian who's fully booked for 3 weeks and the main dealer who's booked till next week, as I don't like the thought of water lying around my piston rings (is this something to worry about).
The exhaust is wet and the smoke seemed white so I presume it's a gasket letting in water. The radiator bottle seemed a little low but only by about 500ml, the oil however seems fine.
So;
Does anyone know if the use of MB computers are needed to reset my car afterwards? How long a job is it on the MB time sheet? Will I need a new cat converter? And is their anything else worth doing whilst the heads off (timing chain, valves etc.)
Also, does anyone know of a good specialist in the Derby area? The only one I know of is Benz Balverian who's fully booked for 3 weeks and the main dealer who's booked till next week, as I don't like the thought of water lying around my piston rings (is this something to worry about).
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Montreal, Canada
260E , 1989 (for now)
Before thinking of resetting the computor, first thing first.
Where is the smoke coming from?
Could be: normal water vapor on start up:
:Oil smoke: worn valve seals or valve stems., broken piston rings or pistons.
: Water smoke: Could be head gasket, cracked head, cracked engine block.
Some tests are in order.
Compression test, cooling system leak pressure test, coolant analysis.
If water gets into the cylinder in large quantity (say 1/2 cup), major damage, called water lock, could result.
Before undergoing major surgery, ask a good Benz doctor to establish a firm diagnostic. You will save money at the end.
JackD
Where is the smoke coming from?
Could be: normal water vapor on start up:
:Oil smoke: worn valve seals or valve stems., broken piston rings or pistons.
: Water smoke: Could be head gasket, cracked head, cracked engine block.
Some tests are in order.
Compression test, cooling system leak pressure test, coolant analysis.
If water gets into the cylinder in large quantity (say 1/2 cup), major damage, called water lock, could result.
Before undergoing major surgery, ask a good Benz doctor to establish a firm diagnostic. You will save money at the end.
JackD
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Derbyshire, England
There seemed to be too much smoke for condensation. My 220SEb has a S/S exhaust which tends to collect moisture, but this was quite a lot. However I took it out this morning and all seems fine, no smoke or water loss . Could it be bad fuel? I don't want to drive it too much in case yet I can't call the AA for a tow to the garage as it's not showing any symptoms and running fine.
Last edited by heckflosse; Jul 15, 2003 at 01:35 PM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Montreal, Canada
260E , 1989 (for now)
No, bad fuel could cause the car to run erratically but would not generate any smoke.
If it was mine, I would monitor the situation for a few days, check the water/oil level maybe have a cooling system leak down test.
Jackd
If it was mine, I would monitor the situation for a few days, check the water/oil level maybe have a cooling system leak down test.
Jackd
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
My guess if the vapor only shows once in a while is condensation in the muffler system. Depending on outside humidity/temperature (dew piont) the vapor could be visible or sometimes not.
I had a muffler removed for exchange and it held about 1 1/2 quarts of water inside. So this amount or only part of it will show a lot of steam, and it's nothing to worry about, other than that the muffler corrodes sooner or later.
I had a muffler removed for exchange and it held about 1 1/2 quarts of water inside. So this amount or only part of it will show a lot of steam, and it's nothing to worry about, other than that the muffler corrodes sooner or later.
