1994 C280 coolant leak. Started as a slow leak. Raised hood to check hoses, took radiator cap off and the leak turned into a steady flow all over the garage floor. Couldnot find any leaks in the hoses, more coolant in just made more leak out. Haven't driven it since this happened, thihking surely I could find where the leak is originating, no luck yet. Today noticed a hose completly disconnected from the engine going to the water pump(?) connected to the pump, but no way to connect it back to the engine where it appears to have been before. Strange.
This is my first C280 MB. Any suggestions are welcomed....thanks

 

which hose?

[IMG]local://upfiles/1/DE86C1161CDD4034A46A712D469EEB76.jpg[/IMG]

 

if 38 is a hose, then perhaps this is it, not sure, this one is no longer then 12 inches, about 3/4 in diameter. Connects at what i believe is the water pump,(connects on a metal connector) travels up to the engine where it should connect onto a metal connector, but no such thing, next to where I think it was, is another hose going back further where I cannot see. Sorry my descriptions are not mechanical. If at the top of the oil stick, go forward and down abit and back toward the engine that is where this hose is now unconnected.

 

it is a plastic hose and yours got none. it is only to drain the coolant externally if the pump is broken.

 

could it be a leak in the radiator? or maybe at the heater core where the hoses connect, u may need to remove the fuse box cover to view these more clearly.

the best way to test for leaks is when the eng is cold b/c the antifreeze tends to evaporate when hot (although u dont seem to have this problem [IMG][/IMG]). u can use a special hand pump that connects where the radiator cap would normally be to test 4 leaks.

 

One interesting point you made, your 94 has a radiator cap. My 99 C280 doesn't have one, as least I can't find one. Adding anti freeze and such is done thru the surge tank.