Hello guys - I posted quite a while ago talking about oil in the coolant... well i am very sure it is oil... tranny fluid doesnt change level.. but oil does.. i go through 3 qts every 3000 miles. It leaks some too.. toward the rear of the engine. But I think quite a bit goes in to the expansion tank. The whole coolent system is oily .. I looked at the coolant hoses and they have a layer of oil coating the interior. Is there a large concern for letting thisget this way or shold I flush it out with some "coolent flush"chem?I can not find the oil/coolant exchanger on the M103.981 engine ( I have a 1991 300SE). It is below the oil filter housing but I am not sure what I'm looking for... a small radiator looking unitI assume with an oil in and out and a coolant in and out... I have the mercedes maintence cd's but they do not give a very good lay out of the engine. I shold find shop manuals some where. Anyway.. where can I pick one of these exchangers up at?

Joel

 

IF your engine has an oil cooler (your model is long before my experience on MB) it is likely to be part of the filter housing. These types of cooler are known as Modine. About 6" x 4" and aluminium in colour.

The oil IN & OUT are likely invisible at the point where the cooler bolts to the oil filter housing using "O" rings at the contact point.. However there will be a water in and out.

No idea where you could get a replacement from other than the various MB forums.

A cheap and cheerful way of getting over the problem would be to disconnect the water IN & OUT and by pass the cooler. However if the cooler is leaking oil you will have to also blank the water ports on the cooler. Of course you will need to restrict high engine speed usaghe in high ambients to avoid the engine oil getting to warm.

Oil degrades the "rubber" cooling system hoses so a flush or at least multiple fills of water are required to get rid of oil in the water cooling system.

Stuart.

 

does anybody know specifically if my car even has one?

 

i don't think my car has one.. i went to the dealer today, the part guy didn't think it had one. The 30 year mercedes mechanic suggested it is most likely a headgasket that is causing the oil in the coolent

 

i just started reading your article and all i can say is headgasket!!!

 

I agree with Vovpar.
IF you don't have an oil cooler it is most likely the head gasket unless you are very unlucky and have a cracked or porous head.
I responded regarding the oil cooler because that is what you entitled the thread
I did state "IF" an oil cooler is fitted.
Hope you get your problem sorted.
Stuart.,

 

thanks guys

 

I just finished posting the same question then I found your post. I'm thinking headgasket too. Did you get yours fixed yet?