1991 Mercedes-Benz W124 230 TE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Air conditioning radiator leak.

Rear wiper ceased.

Rear washer failed.

Window ratchet stripped.

Coolant loss. Can't find where water goes.

Stabiliser bar bushes replaced.

Has anyone had coolant loss? If so what was the cure.

I have a 200E, it's run good until now, but in about the last year I have had the same problem as your car, the water loss...

I changed the gasket between the cylinder head and the block and the problem was solved....

inu@innocent.com

Bogor/Indonesia

Had to replace radiator overflow chamber cap.

I have had the same problem on my W124 200 1989 model. Changed the cylinder head gasket once but the problem came back after 1 1/2 years. Change the whole cooling system including the radiator, pumps & hoses and clips. Just did it recently. Hope it works. Would appreciate any advice & suggestions as to how to overcome the problem.

Azhar Ali

Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.

First of all I would suggest that you would run the engine at idle and check that the fan is either staying on all the time in the case of viscous fans or that it does come on when the temp is right then goes off again in the case of the electro magnetic fans. Once you are sure that the fan is operating as it should, remove the breather for the injection system or carb (have forgotten your model) to get better access to all of the coolant hoses connected to the block. Removing the breather box will not disturb the running of the engine, so leave it running. Wiat until the car reaches its running temp then be very thoral and check for any signs of leads especially at the joints as the MB hose clips are not the strongest. After this inspect the hoses for blockages by removing them. If you can see no leaks from the radiator or hoses etc you must have a bad head gasket. I would suggest that you remove it regardles of it is tested to be fine or not. Then get the head reskimmed and get a mechanic to fit a MB gasket only to the correct torque settings.

Good luck and post any progress if you or anyone else has this problem.

The 230TE was never designed to be a powerful vehicle, what do you think will happen when you put a 2.3 litre engine in a car designed to carry up to 7 people and their luggage. Not a great deal, that is why they made a 3 litre six cylinder version. Your fault for being cheap and buying a 230 rather than a 300.

Far as fixing coolant loss and other things, find a competent mechanic who diagnose the problems and not just guess. Has the system been pressure tested? Has the cylinder compression been tested?

Sounds to me like champagne taste on a beer budget.