envious2016

I could really use some advice from the forum please. I own a 1997 E320 with about 220,000 miles. The past couple of days the coolant warning light came on in the dash. So I looked at the reservoir looked low so I added some mercedes coolant. I drove the car a couple of days and the light came on again, so like an idiot I DUMPED a lot more in there. I drove the car down the street in hot 115 degree AZ weather and about 15 minutes into the drive I noticed a STRANGE grinding noise everytime i stepped on the accelerator. I eased off it stepped on it again and some wierd light grinding soung almost like the sound a ZIP tie makes when you fasten it or a zipper from a coat. I immediately turned back for home and the car started to chug REALLY BAD smoke everywhere (which I now think was more steam) and the car just died. I popped the hood coolant everywhere on the engine cant really pinpoint where it came from but also coolant on ground too. Car would not re start so I had it towed.

Now unfortunately my E320 has the instrumant cluster that works when it wants to , and I could not tell how hot the car was running that is why I did not force the issue and have it towed. all the hoses looked ok , could I have blown out my water pump? thermostat? I thought there was a run off hose that would release any extra coolant? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

kajtek1

Water pump sure is first suspect.
Take the belt off and move it by hand observing for noises and play.
You have I6 engine? Those were also used in W124.
Welcome to the forum.

envious2016

Thank you, no its the W210, also in that scenerio that I wrote is it possible that I blew out the motor? You know could I have warped something? Blew the head gasket? I m hoping this is restricted to the cooling system.

kajtek1

I think head gaskets were weaker point on those engines, but don't overthink the issue.
Get your hands dirty.