Head Gasket or B.S.??
 

Head gasket needed? I took my 97 E-320 L6 (82k miles) into the dealer today for a thermostat. I was not getting much heat and this fixed the problem.

Bad News. They claim that the head gasket is blown because they found oil in the coolant fluid. I am really questioning this because:
1. There is not white smoke from the exhaust fumes
2. The oil level is right where its suppose to be.
3. The coolant level was right on as well.
There are no signs of a blown head gasket except for the dealer claiming there was oil in the coolant. They claim if I do not fix this problem then I will harm more parts in the cooling system IE: electric water pump and sensors.

Does this sound like Bull or Reality ?

If you have doubts get a second opinion. Oil in the coolant certainly could be a sign of this but it also could be other things.

That's very common on the M104 engine. I'm told you can just skim it off the top of the reservoir and live with it indefinitely, according to Dave Barnhart. From his website:

"This is not as bad as it sounds. There is an area near the right rear of the engine-block mating area where an oil channel and a water channel run close together, and also the oil channel is very near the outside edge. Over time, the original head gasket tends to seep a little in this area. Sometimes the gasket material between the oil channel and water channel gives way. Look for a slight oil film in the water reservoir. Look for oil leaking on the right side of the block near the back.

If the oil in the water resevoir is minimal, it can be sucked out with a turkey baster. (Come on guys, don't use your wife's turkey baster. Buy your own.) Just as with the top timing chain cover gasket, this is a problem you could live with indefinitely. Replacing the head gasket on my 300E cost about $1100.

If you do choose to have this done, try to combine it with some other significant maintenance work such as the aforementioned top timing chain cover or replacement of the timing chain. It is also a great time to really scrutinize all of the hoses and such that are not normally so well exposed."

http://www.davebarnhart.com/mb300e/Buying.htm

I think that website is more about the head gasket of the M103 engine. M104 does not have oil in coolant often. It is just an external leak.

M104 was only in he 93 300E, I believe. 86 - 92 use M103.

My '96 E320 I6 had a head gasket leak at 77K miles. Symptom: about 3 months ago, I started seeing a few drops of oil on my garage floor - on the passenger side of the engine. I kept my eyes on coolant reservoir and did not see any oil floating on surface.... but I can smell burning oil in my garage everyday coming home from work.

I took my car to my MB indy and it's confirmed of head gasket leak. From what I've been reading on internet, E320 I6 has a notorious head gasket problem after 10 yrs or somewhere between 80-120K miles... Uh... impressive MB quality, right? Anyway, I called 2 MB dealers in Wilmington DE and they both quoted between $2000-$2200.

My trust worthy MB indy master mechanic told me that it would be $1500 to $1800 , but he would not know until he opens the engine. After 3 days, he replaced the head gasket, head bolts, 6 new spark plugs, new coolant, new engine oil and odd things for $1711 (parts and labor). He did not have to planarize the head since it's still super flat. He asked me to drive my car for 300-400 miles then bring it back for him to change oil again, and this time he will put in Mobil 1 per my request. Hopefully this would be my last head gasket replacement as I plan to drive my MB until I throw it out, hopefully at 250+K miles

If you read more you will see that Dave owns a '93 with the M104 engine.

I had mine done at around 50K. It cost me 2500

Also, many mistake the front timing cover (passenger side) leak as a head gasket leak on the M104 engine. This also happens to the M103 as well. Both my M103 and M104 cars have this leak right now.

400 miles later. :crazy: My oil is still up to the line and no signs of a problem. My floor is clean of coolant and oil.
I looked in the coolant reservoir and I did not see any oil that I know of.

So if I do indeed have a head gasket problem, I cannot see a drawback(problem) as of yet.
I did pound the dealer for a better repair price and got them to $800 complete.
Nonetheless, If I cannot really see a problem why fix it?

Comments please :confused:

I say keep driving it until you notice some major changes in oil loss and/or radiator fluid color changes.

From my understanding the M104 engines that were put in the W210 does not have the same gasket that was used in the M104 of the W124 and therefore should not have the leaks.

My 96 with the M104 has 200,000 miles on it as of today and it does not leak.
There was a time that I thought it leaked but it turned out to be something else.

Good luck with yours.

I have some oil in the reservoir of coolant,was the radiator,,, leaking trans oil into the coolant,change the radia.. problem solve. $190.00 for new radiator.DIY. :zoom: