92 300e 4matic, 3.0 6 cyl. Found oil in my coolant. Absolutely no trace of coolant in motor oil. Thought maybe some residual oil was somehow spraying from a leak on the automatic leveling hose right at the coupling next to the radiator (coolant bottle) fill cap. Since that cap was worn out, replaced it and gave system a quick flush. Appeared to eliminate the oil, but drove it last night for ~30 minutes, went back out and looked under the cap again today, and there was the oil again. Anyone see this before on these models, and have suggestions for troubleshooting?
I've spent more money on repairs on this car in the last two years than I spent for the car itself, and that's with me doing most of the work. This might be the final straw.

 

Where are you located?
You need to get the test strips to check for combustion gasses in the coolant and do a pressure test of the coolant system to locate the leak as well as a leak do test on the engine.Sounds like time to pull the head and replace the timing chain while in there.
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ohlord

 

Located in Idaho, USA. Where would I find the "test strips" you refer to? Not familiar with them. I also have no familiarity with leak testing the cooling system or the engine. Sounds like you are pretty certain it's the head and/or head gasket - what are the leak tests going to tell me that removing the head won't?
Sorry for my naive questions. I've done lots of maintenance and repair for 25 years, but this is an arena I'm not familiar with.

 

Bon jour boycbronco, I have a 1992 300e that had the problem you describe. I took it to an independent MB garage and it was diagnosed as a leaking head gasket. Not an unusual problem for this engine. I very much like this car, paying several hundreds of dollars/euros to import it to France. The indy in Oakland Calif. replaced the gasket and on his advise the valve seals. Many tens of thousands of miles later the car runs well, giving about 20+ mpg at 80 mph and uses less than a quart of oil between changes at 3000 miles. These MB’s are not cheap to maintain but are probably among the last that can be owner serviced. Bon chance James

 

James, thanks for the response. Between your advice and Ohlord's, it looks like I will be pursuing replacing the head gasket and maybe some other maintenance while I'm in there.
Merci, BCB