My Mercedes Benz 420SEL overheated twice yesterday, and I'm determined to prevent that from happening ever again. How can I make sure of that?

It is not unusual for cars with high mileage to suffer from overheating. This is due to the fact that the factory engine parts as well as that of the cooling system have all gone old already. When temperatures climb beyond the normal range set for a particular engine, for whatever reason, overheating can happen anytime. The main reason of overheating is the failure of the cooling system to absorb and dissipate the excess heat produced through combustion. It can be due to coolant leaks, poor air flow, slipping fan clutch, loose water pump impeller, defective radiator cap, inoperative thermostat, or deposit in the water jackets. Even if the defect is only one from among these, engine heat can choke up.

Regular maintenance should save you from the hassle brought by overheating. When you do the check on a religious basis, you will be able to anticipate problems. Subsequently, you will easily single out the cause and have a replacement come handy already. Also, never settle for substandard replacement parts for your engine to reach higher mileage.

How bad will overheating affect the engine? Are the effects still reversible?

Seasoned drivers can easily single out a problem when any signs arise, enabling them to immediately provide the solution. But because of lack of experience, newbies fall into the trap of having to handle problems caused by earlier problems, which eventually lead to more serious problems like overheating. The consequence starts from detonation, followed by rattling, pinging, and then losing power. When it continues to detonate, the vital engine parts such as the rings and bearings will begin to suffer damage. Pistons may also swell as temperature spikes up, subsequently scraping against the cylinders.

Ill effects of overheating can reach the exhaust valve, creating scuffs in their guides and finally to loss of compression. Furthermore, thermal stress can swell the parts that are made up of cast iron and aluminum, like the head. This results in blown head gasket and then coolant leak. The overhead cam can also seize and break. And, of course, since the cooling system is directly connected to the engine, the steam going through it can damage the hose and old radiators with plastic end tanks. When major engine damage is severe, costly engine repair is your sole hope.

How do I know when my Mercedes Benz 420SEL head gasket is leaking?

A leaky cylinder head gasket shows no visible external leaks, but you will be able to notice white steam in the exhaust upon restarting or when idling. To confirm any suspicion, you can diagnose the problem by pressure testing the cooling system or through the use of a block checker. The latter uses a cylinder that has a special blue colored leak detection liquid that will turn to green when it detects combustion gas in the coolant. Also know that the head gasket leaks when engine oil is mixed in the coolant and vice versa. When the problem is confirmed, do not settle with fixing the leak with a sealant. Have a replacement always handy, so you can immediately replace the damaged head gasket.

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