Last weekend I posted about a sudden loss of heat. I kind person suggested I check my coolant level. As I turns out it was quite low. After topping it off the heat returned. I questioned to loss of coolant and checked for leaks. Nothng visible. My wife reported the shiney green stuff on the driveway but I have not seen it. THe notor smells hot to me but it temp is fine according to the guage.

I know a lot more about air cooled motors than the waterpumper I am dealing with. I am wondering if the head gasket is leaking and the coolant is mixing in the combustion process. There seems to be an awful lot of white smoke coming out of the tail pipe but there is no smell to it. I will mention that the weather is cold and damp and that seems to be common with cars I see on the road in these weather comditions.

Any ideas about what the deal might be?

Chris

1983 240DL

Check the more obvious places that coolant leaks:

Water pump area (including the seals, often leak just when the car is shut OFF, not on)

Radiator end tanks, which often leak, or seep coolant

Heater hoses, from the back of the engine to the firewall. Another common place for leakage.

Head gasket problems aren't unheard of, but they aren't prevalent as with some other cars.

If the green stuff is in the driveway and the exhaust doesn't smell sweet, I would agree that your leak is external. How about a pressure test? Depending on where the leak is, you may not be able to see it when the motor is hot. White exhaust is not uncommon in the cold. After all, you can see your own breath, right?