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’86 MB 420 SEL Coolant Leak

Old Mar 13, 2004 | 07:56 PM
  #1  
Randy's Avatar
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Default ’86 MB 420 SEL Coolant Leak



Hi, my 420 must have a coolant leak, but I can't find it. After a 4-5 mile drive, steam and smoke comes from under the rear edge of the hood when I stop; open the hood and it is obvious this is coming from the exhaust crossover pipe which takes the exhaust from the driver's-side exhaust manifold, and the smell makes it obvious it is coolant. There is a rubber heater hose directly over the crossover pipe, with one of those "flush-and-fill" plastic fittings in it (is this stock?) but I simply cannot find anything leaking after looking really carefully several times, and feeling the underside of the hose with my hand, etc. So far I have not seen a sign of a drip on the garage floor, and the coolant level hasn't dropped noticably.</P>


I removed the computer and looked underneath at the hoses between the firewalls, and again I cannot see anything leaking nor any sign of previous leaks. The heater works fine. Please advise if you have experience with this, or ideas.</P>
 
Old Mar 14, 2004 | 01:08 PM
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Default ’86 MB 420 SEL Coolant Leak

could be headgasket when the engine is running is there any bubbles in the coolent tank? is there steam comming out of the tail pipe? is there like a mayo looking stuff under the oil filler cap? all these point to head gasket.
 
Old Mar 14, 2004 | 05:22 PM
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Default ’86 MB 420 SEL Coolant Leak



Hi, I have none of the symptoms you described.</P>


</P>
 
Old Mar 15, 2004 | 12:36 AM
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Default ’86 MB 420 SEL Coolant Leak



Found the problem: someone installed a stupid "flush-and -fill" coonnection in the hose; 5/8 inch fittings are too loose for the metric hose, I think. I iwll try to find something to reconnect the two ends of the hose. Either it would stop leaking when hot, or at least i could not find the leak. When cold, the coolant would drip onto the exhaust crossover pipe and, when it get hot, steam and smoke!<IMG src=smileys/smiley1.gif border="0"></P>


</P>
 
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