yzlian

hello all, i recently shipped my w124 (1992, 230E, certified 24k km only, always pampered) from japan to new zealand.

a few days ago i discovered that the coolant leaked. the fluid comes out drip, drip, drip... from the underbelly of the engine compartment, at a point just ahead of the center of the dashboard. when there was still enough fluid to leak out, it would stop about 15 minutes after the car has stopped, and, after cooling off, the fluid level would have gone down an inch or so from the "level" in the overflow tank, and remain there. the "low coolant fluid" lamp would light up.

the temperature gauge would show 80 degrees (centigrade) steady throughout, even though the coolant warning light has been on for quite a while, all this while driving at moderate highway speeds.

the engine lube level has been constant, and no excessive smoke was detected in the nz official visual test done last week.

questions: (1) what is wrong and what kind of repairs are we talking about? (2) what is the normal operating temperature of the model when air temp is about 12 degrees centigrade (about 55 degrees fahrenheit)?

thanks! joseph

many thanks. joseph

Benzer08

80 degree C is normal temp. Mine car rarely gets under or over this value in any weather condition (Blistering hot or sub freezing temps). If it does go over 80C make sure you listen for your auxiliary fans to kick in around 100C which should bring it back down to 80C.

From the sounds of it your problem is pretty mild. Trace the leak, all leaks have a source, find it. Specifically look at all the coolant hoses. If they aren't tighten down tight enough they can leak.

stormtigers

Check the last "freeze plug" under the exhaust manifold (closest to firewall).

Many instances it is a "hex nut" headed plug designed to be removed for insertion of a block heater. Slow leak BUT when under pressure gushes hence you don't seem to witness huge amounts of loss.



Recently helped a 126 guy out with finding the part numbers to resolve this. Get back to us if it this.


If it's not that case you might also check out the other side of the engine block at the back as shown in this picture below.
It is also notorious for an "o-ring failure" at this location.

royvotava

I just fixed a leak that sounds simillar to yours.it was a pin hole in the heater hose wich is at the rear of the engine by the firewall on the drivers side.

RC200

I'm looking for this plug for another application: a ZF steering rack adjustment plug.
Seems the coolant plug used in Mercedes 300D is 38mm and 1.5mm thread pitch, please confirm this is the plug above.
Do you have a part number ?
Where does the picture come from ?
Car engine details and year ?

Thanks for your support.

stormtigers

Read through my original post on Benzworld here http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w124...ater-leak.html

Car is a 1988 Mercedes 300CE (M103 engine)

Engine Oil Galley Plug Seal
VictorReinz Engine Oil Galley Plug
VictorReinz Timing Cover Gasket; O-Ring, 36mm
(I suspect it may be exactly the same size as the Timing Cover Seal hence the latter description)

But the Part Numbers I believe you are looking for to suit an M103 are as follow :
SEAL - Part No # W0133-1642642
PLUG - Part No # W0133-1637881

RC200

Do you confirm it's a 38mm OD plug ?
Because in this thread (car is 300D):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...al-thread.html

the plug is 38mm / 1.5mm thread pitch and this is what I'm looking for.

stormtigers

Did not measure. But notice O/Ring is 36mm and from picture that implies inner thread is 36mm but plug is 38mm