Oil in water/coolant, 1993 280TE Auto

[chiefsinger]

Hi, I have owned a 1993 280TE Automatic (W124) for about a year, and am totally in love with it!
Have just discovered oil and "mayo" in the water/coolant reservoir, which leads me to think that the head gasket is starting to go. There is no water or "mayo" in the oil or gearbox oil. The car has done over 150000
I've read various articles about this - some say its 3 to 4 hour job, while others say its 8 hours plus.
Can someone give me the benefit of their knowledge and/or experience. If the cost is not too prohibitive I'd love to get it sorted. Like I said, I love my Merc (nearly as much as my wife!)
Oh, and I'm not very technical, so please keep it simple for me

• Any help would be gratefully received
  

 

[BlackC55]

The MB labour time is around 9 hours. We do many many of these head gasgets. Be warned that the engine wiring loom may need to be replaced too if it is original as they break up. When the head gasket is done the loom becomes disturbed.

 

[bolide]

Most cars with an M104 engine seem to have some oil floating on top of the water in the header tank. If you have mayo there the CHG may be on the way

I'd clean out the tank & the filler cap and take on a longish run to get it hot and see what the outcome is. If the CHG is on the way you may see the temperature start to rise a bit, it may lose water and the header tank may pressurise more than normal

I've seen a car with 1/4 inch of oil on top of the header tank. It still drove perfectly but I didn't buy it...

Nick Froome
the independent Mercedes Estate specialists

 

[grober]

A cheap and sensitive test for CHG failure is to "sniff" the head space above the coolant for traces of combustion gases with an exhaust gas analyser. An inspection of the spark plugs and the top surface of the pistons down the spark plug holes can also pinpoint the cylinder/s involved. If a new CHG is required then pays to go the "extra mile" when getting it repaired. Make sure the head is checked for possible distortion and skimmed flat if necessary. Use new CH bolts and take the opportunity to check/replace the water pump and thermostat assemblies. Examine the condition of the radiator and cooling fan viscous coupling. In particular consider the possible corrosion of the automatic transmission fluid cooling coil inside the radiator.
An experienced MB specialist like Ollie will take all this into consideration when performing a CHG replacement but others may not in order to keep the price down.

 

[chiefsinger]

Thanks for all your comments...

I think the way to go is to follow bolide's advice, and take it from there...

 

[chiefsinger]

BTW, I'd appreciate any thoughts on this article:

How do I Replace the Head Gasket on a 1995 Mercedes C280? | eHow.co.uk

Is he talking rubbish?

(Although the question is about a 1995 C280, the references are for the 124 series 1985-1993)

 

[bolide]

Is he talking rubbish?

Yes. If it was that easy garages wouldn't exist

I'd love to see his How-To on brain surgery

Nick Froome

 

[chiefsinger]

Yes. If it was that easy garages wouldn't exist

I'd love to see his How-To on brain surgery

Nick Froome

Haha!!!

 

[grober]

BTW, I'd appreciate any thoughts on this article:

How do I Replace the Head Gasket on a 1995 Mercedes C280? | eHow.co.uk

Is he talking rubbish?

(Although the question is about a 1995 C280, the references are for the 124 series 1985-1993)

Ever heard the expression- a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?

 

[Smiley]

BTW, I'd appreciate any thoughts on this article:

How do I Replace the Head Gasket on a 1995 Mercedes C280? | eHow.co.uk

Is he talking rubbish?

(Although the question is about a 1995 C280, the references are for the 124 series 1985-1993)

Thats utterly astonishing. I wonder what motivation someone has to write such utter drivel.

Re your potential head gasket problem - first get it diagnosed properly with the sniff test and IF it is the CHG then give some consideration to a product called K Seal. Widely available additive to "repair" gaskets that are leaking. I was very very sceptical of such products but I put it into my 124 six months ago after I discovered a leaking HG (it was leaking out to the block) and it has "fixed" the problem. I have done about 8k miles. I had the same dilemma as you - spend about £1000 (yours may be more than that if you need a loom) on a car worth er um about £1000.