190e cooling problems

[jonn]

Hello

My Mercedes 190e has been overheating lately with what i thought was a split top radiator hose but after replacement i can see that the problem is a cracked thermostat housing.

I am wondering whether i need to replace the entire housing and thermostat or just the housing? or anything else for that matter?

Whilst replacing the hose i noticed that it was full of white liquid and wondered whether this is a sign that the the head gasket has blown or whether the lack of coolant in the water/housing leak would be causing this?

If it is a new head gasket required does anyone know how much one would be and whether i could do it myslef or not?

Many thanks

 

[Will]

Hi Jon

Head gasket has probably gone - most usual cause of your symptoms. Obviously worth checking for other causes but it's probably going to be that.

Can be replaced DIY but if you're not handy with the spanners it's best left to a garage.

Re - the thermostat housing, it's another design weakness. The original plastic type ages and the plastic becomes weak. MB now supply an improved type made of metal with a banjo connection for the expansion tank pipe.

What engine type does your 190 have?

Will

 

[jonn]

Thanks for that Will.

The coolant light has been coming on and off for ages but if the crack has been getting gradually bigger and that would be explained by the loss of coolant.

I can see the coolant spraying from the thermostat housing crack and wonder if the gunk coming through is part of the debris coming through from the empty water tank?

There is no water present in the oil either??

It is a 1.8 manual by the way

 

[grober]

You probably have a blown cylinder head gasket as has been suggested. However if you continue to run the car with inadequate cooling/leaks you will deffo end up with one. Get a new thermostat housing ASAP. This should help.
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as....412&VIN=*&CT=M&cat=504&SID=20&SGR=015&SGN=01

 

[jonn]

thanks for your help grober.

Are cyclinder head gaskets expensive /easy to replace?

 

[Ian B Walker]

A head gasket will cost you about £40. Easy to replace apart from that damned exhaust set up. Make sure that you have the engine on TDC and that the timing mark on the camshaft lines up. Have an assistant with you, not only for safety, as you will be under the car, but to assist in removing the head. Another tricky part is removing the chain guide rail pin, you will need a sliding hammer of some such tool. Some people have used a socket and a bolt to draw it out. Should take you about 8 hours start to finish. Oh and don't take the head off with the inlet manifold still attached, unbolt it and move it to one side, its far easier.

 

[grober]

leave this one to the pros!

While not wishing to contradict IBW I'm sure he has changed 100's of cylinder head gaskets and knows all the tricks of the trade. Unless you have done a few yourself before I would hesitate to say go ahead. You should for example, test if the head has warped, because if it has it will need skimmed in a machine shop. I would also for example renew all the valve stem O ring seals at the same time also since they can grow hard with time and it's a easier job with the head off. Theres lots of little details like this which an experienced pro will take for granted but are pitfalls for the inexperienced ( I know an experienced merc tech who took hours to remove that guide rail pin for example). Unless you are comfortable part dismantling an engine I would leave this one to a professional with experience on Mercs like I. B. Walker himself.

ps if you do it yourself use the correct MB part not a pattern part deffo worth the little extra cost.

 

[Ian B Walker]

While not wishing to contradict IBW I'm sure he has changed 100's of cylinder head gaskets and knows all the tricks of the trade. Unless you have done a few yourself before I would hesitate to say go ahead. You should for example, test if the head has warped, because if it has it will need skimmed in a machine shop. I would also for example renew all the valve stem O ring seals at the same time also since they can grow hard with time and it's a easier job with the head off. Theres lots of little details like this which an experienced pro will take for granted but are pitfalls for the inexperienced ( I know an experienced merc tech who took hours to remove that guide rail pin for example). Unless you are comfortable part dismantling an engine I would leave this one to a professional with experience on Mercs like I. B. Walker himself.

ps if you do it yourself use the correct MB part not a pattern part deffo worth the little extra cost.

Thanks mate, its easy to forget things you do every day.