E240 V6 supspect head gasket failure

[brens-e200]

hi

changing my oil this morning on my 1999 Merc E240 ( v6) and noticed lots of mayonnaise on the dip stick and cap I had only checked it last week and all was its usually shiny self.

I then went and checked the coolant which was also very low so in the space of a week it looks like I have a head gasket failure with no warning.

I changed the oil+ filter and refilled the coolant and ran the engine and there is a smell of not normal exhaust gases but rather a strange smell which i can only presume is burning coolant from the exhaust.

so that looks like there are the 3 classic indicators of a head gasket leak and my next question is there anything else it might be and roughly how many hrs labour might be involved ?

thanks in advance

brendan

 

[E270 Owner]

Short trips in this cooler weather can cause this, go for a run on the motorway and get the engine warmed up properly.

But if in doubt get a sniff test done to make sure.






.

 

[Auto-mobile]

Head gaskets never fail on the 112/113 engines, keep an eye on you coolant level, if it drops then you will have a problem but I doubt very much it's a head gasket.

 

[sherco450]

yes lm always unsure about mine it stinks and it mayos up as well. but saying that lve done 268,000 km since noticing same problems and its all ok just uses a little oil not water. my mechanic has a lot of 240 /320 that come in with only 50% of oil in sump and lack of water he says there bullet proof ..well most are

 

[brens-e200]

hi all

thanks for the tips. I usually drive high mileage so the engine will get nice and hot. good to here about the bullet proof nature of these engines, lets hope I'am not the exception !!! .

on another forum a member indicated that the oil-cooler attached to the filter housing is a weak point and should be changed before getting the hg done .

the only sure way to test is to remove it after draining the oil and coolant and pressure testing it under water to check for leaks.

if i'am going to all that bother for a cheap item ( 90e approx ) i will just change it and then flush the cooling system and monitor the levels.


I have ordered the oil-cooler which i will replace during the week & i will keep you posted .

regards

brendan