sludge in expansion bottle

[wilf1227]

I have just had my m103 124 serviced.When I collected the car I was shown that there is a slight oil/sludge deposit in the expansion bottle.The coolant has not changed colour and there is no excess pressure build up.

There are a couple of small oil leaks and the core plug located at the left rear of the block has a very slight weep.

My question is should I get the head gasket changed now or can I run the car until May/June when i will be able to cope without it.

Also any idea's on the cost??

Thanks in advance!!

 

[BlackC55]

You need to have a "sniffer" test to see if there is exhaust gases in the expansion bottle to find out if the HG is gone first. It is not a good idea to run it if it has gone as it may cause more damage.

 

[ohlord]

the head gasket is gone,do not run the engine ever until the gasket is changed!!

 

[wilf1227]

The amount of sludge/oil in the bottle is just enough to feel on your finger. It has left a ring around the top of the bottle but there is no sign of it in the coolant.Could this be rements from a previous gasket change?

 

[Lugy]

It doesn't instantly mean HG, as BlackC55 says get a sniff test done.

Other symptoms can be heaters not working, the same gunk on the oil cap and no pressure in the expansion tank when left for a while. Did the car have enough antifreeze over winter?

Oh and don't let everyone tell you the head needs skimmed. It's one of the great motoring fallacies!

 

[wilf1227]

Thanks Lugy.
The car has been in use through all the snow etc.the oil filler cap is clean,heater works and the is pressure when I remove the expansion bottle cap.

There is slight coolant useage but I think that is down to the core plug as there is no pressure build up ( I can squeeze the top hose) and there is no hesitation/misfire when first starting hot or cold.

 

[Blackjack]

If you get the "sniff test" done at a local garage you will know for sure if the the HG is leaking gasses into coolant.
If it is and gets worst (coolant into cyl) then its possible you may end up with additional damage like burnt out piston

 

[AdamG]

When the head gasket had gone on my 320cdi it had a black rubbery ring on the expansion bottle where the water line was. The water did not look oily.

It was pressurising the system though and ejecting coolant out of the expansion resevoir cap.

Adam

 

[Lugy]

Is the car an auto and does it have a transmission oil cooler?

 

[Roger Jones]

"Oh and don't let everyone tell you the head needs skimmed. It's one of the great motoring fallacies!"

Get it checked properly. If that tells you it doesn't need skimming, then don't get it skimmed. If it does need doing, it's not going to break the bank.

For what it's worth, my mechanic has yet to find a failed M103 or M104 head that didn't need skimming; he makes no money out of the operation.

The head in one of my M103s has been repaired twice. I wonder if the second change was needed because the first one didn't involve a skim; in its exemplary documentation there was no evidence of it.

The MB E-class owner's bible says "When the gasket fails, it usually does not dump water into the combustion chamber or allow combustion pressure into the cooling system. Instead, oil enters the cooling system."

 

[grober]

As advised get the system tested ASAP Its not a good idea to ignore a problem like this for any length of time. If you need the use of a car every day you could try to find a garage to do the work who might give you a "loaner"while its being repaired. While the repair can be done in a day--- If the head needs to be skimmed /welded--- allow approx a week for the car to be out of action to be on the safe side.

 

[wilf1227]

Is the car an auto and does it have a transmission oil cooler?

It is an auto with cooler but had the transmission filter changed yesterday and new fluid.

 

[khimani_mohiki]

as far as i can see, HG's fail in 4 modes;

1. oil<>water seal comprisimes - mayonaise in the oil cap
2. water<>combustion chamber comprisimes - combustion gasses in expansion tank, excessive water use, overheating (leaking exhaust gasses heating coolant)
3. combustion chamber<>oil comprisimes - excessive oil consumption?
4. everything comprimised

The order in which they occur and the severity depends on the engine design, ie what passages are where in the block and head, how robust the headgasket is and the cylinder head securing method.

 

[Ade B]

I had the same issue. Got the CHG replaced for about £600 + VAT a couple of years ago.

Based on my experience the engine is unlikely to fail catastophically if its monitored regularly and driven gently - I used my car for over a week before it went to the garage including a Dorset holiday (which took the edge of the driving a bit..) having said that I would certainly get it tested asap.

It wasn't deemed necessary to skim mine however the car still has an external oil leak which I live with.

Ade