PointedThree - Photo DIY- Coolant Leak.. Problem now Solved!!

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PointedThree : Sedan Forums : W210 E Class : Photo DIY- Coolant Leak.. Problem now Solved!!

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Photo DIY- Coolant Leak.. Problem now Solved!!

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Posted 12/17/2011 6:10 PM

G-AMG
G-Class DIY Host

Date registered: May 2006
Location: South Texas
Vehicle(s): '04 G55, '80 280GE, '99 S420, '98 E320, 2011 E350
1000

Photo DIY- Coolant Leak.. Problem now Solved!!

Ufff!

For the last several months, I've been chasing down a VEEEERRRRRYYY SLOOOOOOOW Coolant Leak; Around 100 cc's per week.

I would never see a puddle, no wet spots.

My Differential Diagnosis was this:

1- Micro Leak of a Hose

2- Head Gasket Leak (bite my tongue!)

3- "Weeping" Water Pump Relief Valve (aka pump on it's way out)

4- Faulty Reservoir Cap Pressure Value.

My Steps taken:

1- Pressure tested the system, but only a drop of .05 Bar in 30 minutes. That is one TINY leak!! Nothing Visible.

2- Head Gasket Check- Negative (thank goodness!!)

3- New Reservoir Cap- NO CHANGE.:

OK, enough futz-ing around, so I tracked down a Leak Testing Set.

Wanting to only place an "OEM Approved" Dye, I started my Search.

I nosed around on the Mercedes Aftermarket Site (a REALLY COOL site for those interested in WHERE M-B Dealerships get all of their Equipment, tools, testers, etc..):

http://gotis.aftersales.mercedes-benz.com/index.asp?sid=AF184F14-90...

I saw the above A/C tester, and it looked "familiar". Lo' and behold, the set listed as "WAECO Intl. GmbH" is actually a TRACERLINE set, which is an American Company who actually INVENTED the whole concept of Tracer Dye Detection back in 1955.

You will note, the GOTIS site AND the WIS both specify this is the ONLY approved Dye product for A/C and Coolant Systems for M-B.

After placing one vial of Dye (1 ounce) into the coolant reservoir, and driving for a while... I had a look with the Buzz LightYear Glasses, and the UV light, looking alllllll over the place trying to find a Water Pump Weep, or Hose Leak... but NOTHING!

Now one small problem: The "Engine Preservation/Anti-Corrosive Agent" I used in the engine bay, actually DOES Fluoresce a slight bit, so I was flustered Until....

GAD-ZOOKS BATMAN!!! As you can see, the Windscreen Washer Fluid Reservoir Lit up like the Griswald's House in "Christmas Vacation".. all 25,000 lights...

Anyway, I have done a Search, and have found ZERO on this subject... so hopefully this will help someone in the future.

Now, in "RETROSPECT" there is a piece of History I did not piece together until much later. A while back, I briefly used my Windshield Washer system when the windscreen was fairly dirty, and when I tried to clear the fluid, it was making a mess...
"Oh, I really need to change out my Wiper Blades.... this last summer has REALLY messed up the Rubber..." Now I can see, there must have been a bit of Coolant in the Washer Fluid, which was getting smeared all over the place.... Hindsight is always 20/20...

G