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Smokey Engine & Coolant Loss.... HELP!
Topic Started: Sun Nov 9, 2008 6:45 pm (2,787 Views)
-V-
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The Hamster

Hey people, i have some problems with my car and (no surprise) it's started to freak me out!!

Whilst driving the other day i noticed a strong smell of coolant coming into the car, and thought nothing of it. When i went to add some water into the tank i noticed that it was VERY empty and added about a litre into it. (no warning light though so looks like the sensor is shot!)

Then yesterday i was driving and was stuck in lots of traffic, car started overheating loads and i noticed some smoke coming out through the grill. I was in a huge rush to get somewhere and then when i got there i added about 1.75 litres (!!!) of water into the tank and then it started behaving with the temperature being around 80 as normal.

My question is this: someone please tell me what the hell this is and preferably tell me that it's not the head gone/going! :(

I had the headgasket done about 3 years ago so im really hoping it isnt this.

I've not had the car started in the driveway to see whether the coolant is just leaking out of somewhere or what?

When i reached home i lifted the bonnet with the engine running to see if there was any visible smoke but there wasn't. Though i did notice a very tiny amount of water bubbling above one of the screws on what i think was the water pump.

Thought i would mention that there is no gunky stuff mixed into my water tank.

A friend said to me last night that i should check the pipes are pressurised (!!???) I'm not technical in the slightest so please be gentle!

I know it's a long post, but any tips would be greatly appreciated! Just hope it isn't bye bye car! :(

Many thanks guys!
Edited by -V-, Sun Nov 9, 2008 6:50 pm.
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-V-
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The Hamster

Forgot to add it's a 1992 2.0 190E...
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arcnz
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you not having much luck of late are you.
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-V-
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The Hamster

No :(
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RobertE
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I'd suggest it might be the heater matrix, and I fear it's a straightforward, but time-consuming job... It's the same basic layout as many other cars, the heater matrix sandwiched between the firewall and the fascia.

'Cos if you can actually smell it, that may well be what it is...
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-V-
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The Hamster

Forgot to mention, there was also a loud whining noise that came yesterday from the front end too.

Sounded like that dry-fanbelt sort of high pitched squealing.... if you know what i mean!?? :-/

Would that lead towards the heater-matrix or is that something else to worry about?

My problem being that i'm always so busy with work / lack of tech. knowledge.... the two really dont go hand in hand if im honest!!
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hitenb
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Hey -V-

I think you should start by parking it in one spot so you can monitor whats happening under the car. From what you say so far I think it may be your water pump - I've had that problem before, the car used to heat up loads on traffic and there was not much circulation of water around the system. So lets eliminate as much as we can before we point to the water pump. Check the following:

1. Check all pipes going to and from the block, rad & water coolant expansion bottle.. Check to see all clips are tight and look for coolant around the pipes (usually leave like a white looking residue)

2. When the car is cool, try feeling the underneath of your radiator on the bottom to see if there is any coolant coming out of the radiator, usuall the bottom corners!

3. Inspect the rubber seal on the coolant expansion cap - check that its not caked up, dried and with cracks

4. Also.. Do you notice when the fan kicks in? You may also need to replace your thermostat if its shot

Don't stress about it too much; its sortable!

Also, dont revv it up too much if its starts to get hot - thats head-gasket blowing conditions!

I hope it helps.. let us know how you get on!

Good luck!

(forgot to add: the sensor is easy to change, got mine from MB as it was shot takes about 10 mins to change, but you need a special nosed plier to get the silver clip off)

EDIT: One more thing - inspect the coolant expansion tank as well, it may be leaking.. clean the area around the coolant expansion tank and look to see if there are new drips and dribbles after using the car)

Edited by hitenb, Sun Nov 9, 2008 7:03 pm.
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RobertE
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Loose fan belt slipping on the pulley; very common this time of year. Tighten up the generator.
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-V-
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The Hamster

Thanks Hiten & Robert for that! B)

Ok so we have a variety of answers. Correct me if im wrong, but if there's a heater-matrix problem do you sometimes get misty windows from the inside as well?
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Matt
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Sounds very much like your water pump is shot old V. Failed bearings maybe.
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RobertE
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Not, particularly at this time of year. If it happens in high summer, then probably. It's q. moist/damp at present, so this will happen. But what is the heat output after about 10 mins? And, what is the coolant level? Has the Radiator warning light gone on? Because that is all about fluid loss...
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-V-
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The Hamster

Matt: Do you mean failed bearings in the water pump itself dude?

Robert: Heat output after 10mins has been around 80. Radiator warning light didn't come on so that sensor will definitely need replacing! Was a good thing i had noticed it all when i did.... i'd hate to think otherwise! :-/
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shrekky
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hmmmmmmm it sounds more like water pump to me m8................................water on one of the bolts of the pump=there is a small hole on the housing of the water pump shaft,if the pump has gone,water will come out of here...........................smell of coolant = if the pump is leaking it will be spraying/running onto a hot engine where it evapourates,thats why you can smell it ;) .........................high pitch squeal = can be one of 2 things,either coolant getting on the drive belt and making it slip or it could be the bearing of the water pump



matt beat me to it....lol
Edited by shrekky, Sun Nov 9, 2008 7:20 pm.
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Matt
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Quote:
 
Matt: Do you mean failed bearings in the water pump itself dude?



Correct, the water pump bearings.
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-V-
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The Hamster

Thanks for the input guys, really appreicate it.

So it looks like it's the water pump then?

Would it be worth me starting it up in the morning with the bonnet up and see if it leaks from anywhere? I'm guessing i would have a big puddle on the floor, right?
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Matt
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-V-
Sun Nov 9, 2008 7:21 pm
Thanks for the input guys, really appreicate it.

So it looks like it's the water pump then?

Would it be worth me starting it up in the morning with the bonnet up and see if it leaks from anywhere? I'm guessing i would have a big puddle on the floor, right?
Well I can remember when I had to change the water pump on one 190 due to the bearings having failed and the signs were squeeling and a slow dripping of water coming from the underside of the pump.
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shrekky
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you could do....................it might not start leaking until its upto operating temp,until the system pressurises...............there agin it could piss out as fast as you put it in....lol
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-V-
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The Hamster

Ah ok.

What i'll do is fill her up in the morning and keep a close eye on the water pump and look out for anywater on/around it. They're only about £30 from GSF so that's not bad at all.
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hitenb
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I think you should check it in the morning... Check pipes before and after warming up (careful not to hurt yourself) and see if water is spitting out from shot pipes as well.. Also keep an ear out for the 'click' sound when the AUX fan comes in to make sure its working correctly!

Are you getting mist inside the car?? How about your heating? I know for sure that I need to sort out my heating - need to do the famous matrix flush as there is practically no heat, then it comes on for a bit and goes.. blah blah.. the only problem is I have no place to do the flush.. its going to be a cold winter!

Good luck!
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RobertE
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Does this forum work, or what?
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basil1
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RobertE
Sun Nov 9, 2008 7:30 pm
Does this forum work, or what?
not for me :P
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Matt
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RobertE
Sun Nov 9, 2008 7:30 pm
Does this forum work, or what?
:lol: In what way Robert?
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arcnz
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Ive learn't 3 things on this forum today.

it works alright
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RobertE
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I merely meant that a punter could have spent £300-500 in 'diagnostics' by now.
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190D 2.5
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Sorry to hear your car problems V :-/ Hope the collective wisdom of the forum is working for you. ;) :huh:
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Matt
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RobertE
Sun Nov 9, 2008 7:51 pm
I merely meant that a punter could have spent £300-500 in 'diagnostics' by now.
Ah yes :)

mercedes190.co.uk....friendly on your wallet :D
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190D 2.5
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RobertE
Sun Nov 9, 2008 7:51 pm
I merely meant that a punter could have spent £300-500 in 'diagnostics' by now.
Absolutely. Not wrong. This forum rocks. ;) I've saved tons by joining.
Edited by 190D 2.5, Sun Nov 9, 2008 7:53 pm.
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kentronix
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I would go with water pump too, although if coolant is leaking out onto the belt it could cause slipping and the noise, it could be as simple as a top hose thats leaking onto your belt.

I think changing the water pump on the 4 cylinder is pretty easy, although I havent done it myself.

If there is no visible signs of where its been leaking then you have to suspect its either leaking somewhere hidden, but you would certainly notice if that much leaked out inside. Or suspect its not moving round the system, overheating and then blowing the cap.

It is possible its the pressure cap, does it start spraying water out before it over heats or after ?
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cossie connoisseur
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[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
yep water pump, normally you can look under the car and see coolant leaking out of the drain hole
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Matt
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Its straight forward to change it ;)
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merc190uk
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pumpy pump pump young man

if you was closer i'd change it for you



















but your not :lol:

sorry :lol:


you know i would really B)
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Matt
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:lol:

Let him get his manicured hands dirty for once :P
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merc190uk
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Matt
Sun Nov 9, 2008 9:38 pm
:lol:

Let him get his manicured hands dirty for once :P
the only dirt/dust would be from his wallet as he paid a mechanic :lol:

v+dirt :no: :P
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190D 2.5
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^I think V's got a lovely pair of hands :wub:
Edited by 190D 2.5, Sun Nov 9, 2008 9:59 pm.
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cossie connoisseur
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there can be only one ;-)
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do a hammond and pump it by hand!
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Toff190
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So it looks like a new pump then V
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Pug
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Sounds to me like the squeal you hear might simply be the escape of steam from the expansion tank.
Would correspond with the 'smoke' you see coming out the front, as that's where the breather pipe runs to.

Pop the bonnet (at arms length) next time it does it and you should easily be able to confirm it, if so.

This is obviously just a symptom though and your problem could also stem from corrosion build up in the system (in which case, a flush could sort it) or perhaps a faulty viscous fan coupling or thermostat, if not the water pump as suggested.

I found a nifty trick for testing the viscous fan coupling over at mbworld -
Quote:
 
To check if the fan is working correctly try the "carrot test". With the engine running at normal temperature ie. very hot and the fan working, carefully insert a long carrot into the path of the fan blades. If the carrot is cut by the blades, then the viscous coupling is OK. If the carrot stops the fan blades from turning, then your viscous coupling needs replacing.
The viscous coupling should be routinely changed at 100,000miles or 10 years.
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-V-
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The Hamster

:lol: :lol: Thanks for all the answers guys!

Okie doke, looks like a new water pump is on order for tomorrow then.

Adrian - why thank you!! :wub: :wub:
Steve - :lol: I know you would mate, the offer is much appreciated ;)

But your right, i dont think i'll be tackling this one though - my next thread would probably be titled "Screwdriver stuck down dipstick hole - how do i retrieve?"

What i might do is get a coolant flush at the same time of the water pump being fitted, i'll see how fruity i feel in the morning! B)

Just hope that this cures the problem though!!

Thanks again guys for all your answers much appreciated! I definitely second what Robert says - this place is awesome.

Just a thought.......... maybe i shouldn't begin with the praises until it's actually fixed and we know that it definitely is the water pump!! :lol: :lol:

B)
Edited by -V-, Mon Nov 10, 2008 12:07 am.
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merc190uk
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The Godfather

:lol:


yeah you take it to the garage and its not your water pump but your wotsit dangle lmao
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-V-
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The Hamster

My what???? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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