C230 Krompressor coolant around spark plugs - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ozarkdude · #1 05-18-2015, 03:58 PM

Anyone know why a 2005 C230K would get coolant around the two front spark plugs? Appears to only be number 1 and 2. It shorts out ignition and loses power. Its using about a gallon of coolant per 5000 miles. Rest of engine appears dry. No coolant/oil mix in sump or reservoir, doesnt overheat, no bubbles in reservoir, no white smoke. Only symptoms are coolant loss, occasional power loss, and coolant around numbers 1 and 2 plugs.

Car belongs to a friend, a local shop wanted $4K to do the head gasket, I said id do for him, but in looking into the issue and discussing it with him, I dont think its a head gasket. While I havnt yet started tearing things apart, im not seeing anything obvious. Ive searched the forum, and other forums/google search, and find nothing.

Any ideas or directions would be awesome

PARSHOOT1 · #2 05-18-2015, 05:49 PM

Do you know if this car has the dreaded M271 engine?

Ozarkdude · #3 05-18-2015, 05:56 PM

Yes, I believe it is the 271. Why is it dreaded?

Looking, researching and discussing, I am beginning to think its a head bolt leak.

PARSHOOT1 · #4 05-18-2015, 06:46 PM

Google "Mercedes Benz M271 engine problems". There's also info about that engine on Pelican. I'm sure someone else more knowledgeable than me will chime in, but seems to me I recall reading that MB had so many problems with that engine they only used it ??2003 to 2005??.....and then stopped using it.

Apologies for not having a specific answer to the problem with your friends engine, but you might find the solution in the numerous posts on all the mercedes forums, if you don't find it here. Good luck.

Ozarkdude · #5 05-19-2015, 09:40 AM

Guess im going to pull the cam cover and look, do a pressure test and see if i can observe anything. Best guess is either a loose or broken head bolt or a cracked head.

Also, can anyone point me to a thread, or threads, related to the variable cam advance mechanism? I have read of failures, but am curious if there is anything obvious to see if its dissected.

Mercedes sure doesnt build very decent cars anymore thats for damn sure