Do I need a new head gasket?
The engine of my G has done 122xxx miles already and I think it might need a head gasket replacement quite soon.
The engine doesn't overheat, it always runs at 80 degress. However, I found a small amount of light brown soapy stuff in the coolant tank. Much like this colour...
I didn't find this substance in the engine oil tho.
I am sure this substance has only been there for less than a month as I check the water level very often.
Does it mean the head gasket has to be replaced soon?
If so, how much would it roughly cost?
Thank you all very much!
Hi before your go into major teardown check the following: colour of engine oil should be clear not creamy or cloudy..:level of transmission fluid...with engine running gear lever in park position....any creamy blob on the end of the engine oil dipstick and water is getting into the oil... probably via the cylinder head gasket...any loss of transmission fluid and the fluid is leaking into the cooling system via the G'box oil cooler which is integral with the radiator.new or recored radiator needed and a purge of the water system to get the oil out. if this brown froth is on the surface of the water in the header tank it is probably oil based.run the engine up to temp and feel the matrix of the radiator.if the top is cold then oil is lying there..** the radiator/oil cooler is the high failure item and probably the culprit...any water loss? a major head head gasket problem would most likely cause water loss and "off a cylinder starting" or back pressure inthe water header tank.....
Hi looking good!!!.....flush the water system thoroughly with water mixed with brown vinegar 250ml of vinegar to every 4 .54ltrs of water ..let the system sit full of this mix overnight then flush with water by disconnecting the hose to the thermostat and remove the header tank cap.look at the lower section of the header tank for debris and brown colour then remove tank to clean...when all looks clear replace the tank hose and fill system..use MB branded anti corrosion treatment additive. run for 200miles and check for contamination.....was radiator New or recored ? ****Check the G'box /transmission oil which is dipped by removing the red clip/cap at the rear left side of the rocker cover as you face the windscreen.. there is a 1 mtr long dipstick attached to the red cap with a contents indent at the end.you will not get a proper reading unless the oil is hot and the engine is running with G lever in "Park" position. do this before starting the flushing process...
Thank you so very much!!
I will check the transmission fluid thing tomorrow... sounds like it is much more difficult to find that the engine oild dipstick!
The radiator was new.
Pok
Murrrr... unable to unscrew/lift that red cap!! Brought it to the local MB this morning and that guy said the test would be free of charge! :)
No problems!! MB did a pressure test and everything is fine!
Miaw! Miaw! Good! :lol:
I I would be interested to know what they pressure tested?? because the radiator has to be removed to pressure test the oil coolers....if they did that for free I could use them from time to time....
I I would be interested to know what they pressure tested?? because the radiator has to be removed to pressure test the oil coolers....if they did that for free I could use them from time to time....
Hahahaha, considering how much ££ I spent there in the past 9 months... I guess they are just being 'nice'!
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Thank you very much for the advice!!
Hmmm... please forgive my ignorance. Where is the transmission fluid stored?
The new radiator was fitted last August so that probably isn't a problem.
As for your questions... I have just checked:
There is no water loss.
The top of the matrix is warm/hot.
Colour of engine oil is not creamy or cloudy.
There is no creamy blob on the end of the dipstick... all looks normal.
Hmmm... this problem really annoys me now!