Possible head gasket failure

[dynamo_degs]

Hi guys while on the motorway my car said add 1 litre of oil at next fuel fill up. I pulled over after a mile into the services and when I lifted the bonnet
There was oil every where, passenger side of engine bay all over the wheel + disk and all up the side of the car. Took of the expansion tank cap and there was no pressure and it was full of thick black oil. Can any one advise me to what it might be and possible cost to fix. I haven't had a chance to investigate it but the rac man reckoned
It was the head gasket. Ps the car temperature was at normal temperature all the time and the water light didn't come on.
Ps the cars a w211 e320cdi
Any thoughts would be much appreciated

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

The RAC man was in the best position to diagnose the issue. Hopefully it's just the head gasket. Won't scare you with other possibilities as you won't know until the head is taken off.
I guess you're looking at £300 - £400 to have it done properly. Don't skimp though. Go to someone that knows what they are doing or you'll end up either doing it again or damaging the engine.

Tell us where you are and someone will recommend a good garage nearest to you.

 

[spenttherent]

Could it be an oil cooler problem ?

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

Could it be an oil cooler problem ?

Yes, but when they fail they just mix fluids and don't usually spray the engine bay.

 

[spenttherent]

Yes, but when they fail they just mix fluids and don't usually spray the engine bay.

Just a thought

 

[dynamo_degs]

The rac guy only said the head gasket from my description, he didn't lift the bonnet and just loaded the car onto the toe truck. I always thought if the head gasket went it was only a small amount of oil in the expansion tank (milky)
Not all the engine oil.
I live near Buckingham, the wife has spoken to a merc independent specialist who is going to have a look at it next week. I will find out who it is to see if any of you have heard of them.
The independent seems to think its the oil cooler.
How do you go about cleaning all the oil out of the cooling system?

 

[markjay]

Easy to check - use MoT testing station exhaust gas analyser lowered into the expansion bottle (not in the coolant though) to detect presence of exhaust gases on the coolant.

Or test for compression on the cylinders. If one - or two adjacent ones - is/are low then suspect HG.

Also put your hand behind the exhaust and see if there is coolant-smelling spray in the fumes.

As for engine oil, a quick drain and refill, followed by short run to bring to working temp, them quick drain and refill again, will do the trick (no need for engine flush).

 

[kth286]

The RAC man was in the best position to diagnose the issue. Hopefully it's just the head gasket. Won't scare you with other possibilities as you won't know until the head is taken off.
I guess you're looking at £300 - £400 to have it done properly. Don't skimp though. Go to someone that knows what they are doing or you'll end up either doing it again or damaging the engine.

Tell us where you are and someone will recommend a good garage nearest to you.

Those are optimistic figures.

When did you last have a head gasket replaced ?

 

[dynamo_degs]

The wife is getting the car taken to Mercedes independent specialists. princes risborough for them to have a look at. Has any one had any dealings with them.

 

[carat 3.6]

The wife is getting the car taken to Mercedes independent specialists. princes risborough for them to have a look at. Has any one had any dealings with them.

That's Chris Grey, top bloke who knows his stuff.

 

[Will]

Those are optimistic figures.

When did you last have a head gasket replaced ?

I agree - more like between two to three times that amount at a specialist? Probably five or ten times that figure at MB!

£300-400 would probably cover consumables/parts (coolant, oil, filter, gaskets, bolts etc) and machine shop costs so long as nothing is badly damaged.

Wait until a good specialist has looked at it. No point guessing otherwise until you know exactly what is wrong!

 

[dynamo_degs]

Cheers carat it is chris I spoke to so u have put my mind at ease just have to see what the outcome is

 

[carat 3.6]

Cheers carat it is chris I spoke to so u have put my mind at ease just have to see what the outcome is

Let us know what he makes of it, everyone I refer to him is happy with his work so your car is in good hands.

 

[dynamo_degs]

Will do mate he seems to think from my description it's the oil cooler but obviously won't know to he gets the car