I have a 1991 MB 300E. Just replaced head gasket after having the head machined and pressure tested. New water pump and thermostat. Radiator is 40K miles old. Car has 186K miles. Car is running hot.

Is it running a little hot or in the red hot? Some things to check......... !. Check for trapped air in the cooling sysytem. To do this......Locate the thermostat housing that sits between the fan and engine and has a small hose going to the reservoir of the radiator. To bleed the cooling system you need to remove this hose, start the car and keep filling the reservoir until water comes out of the top of the thermostat housing. With the water jetting out reconnect and tighten this hose. NOTE: Be careful if your housing cover is made of plastic as the small outlet can break with too much pressure. This will probably do it. If not check these......... 2. Make sure thermostat is in properly. 3. Is the heater blowing hot air. a. If your not getting hot air through heater possible air. You will need to purge air out. 4. Stuck thermostat. b. take thermostat out and see if it runs cooler.

Aztec626bf --- thank you for your prompt reply. Today, we tried your suggestion. The thermostat housing is fine - there was coolant circulating. We bought a new radiator cap for the expansion tank. It seemed to have solved the overheating issue. On another note, we have noticed that the car is dripping oil. One quart of oil was gone in a matter of few minutes of test driving it. Other than a rear main seal, what could be the problem? Thank you so much!

Three options to where the oil is going, on the ground, out the exhaust or into the radiator. For the radiator look into the coolant reservoir and see if you notice any indication of oil. If its burning that much oil you would notice smoke coming from exhaust. You will also notice a heavy film in the tailpipe if your burning excessive amounts of oil. If your dripping that much oil you would see a fairly substantial puddle under car.

"Heavy" drip under the car when parked. There is also noticeable oil where the car was driven. I have not observed white smoke coming out of my tailpipe - only from the underside of the car. And since we just did the head gasket, no oil in the radiator expansion tank. Many thanks! Your help is very much appreciated.

It could be your head gasket or it could be something easier. if its leaking when shes just sitting your gonna have to just clean up the engine and wait to see a drip.

Thanks to Aztec and Blake. Finally able to pinpoint where the leak was coming. It turns out it was coming from the valve cover - a $7 fix using a silicone sealant. Car is running like it was brand new and just passed smog. I expect to get another 150K miles from this baby. I had it for 21 years now. THANKS AGAIN!

Goodmorning when you had the engine machined, and new head gascet replaced was this done under warranty, and at a reputible automotive shop, I would first take it back and have them do a full diagnosis to see why this is happening. I would guess it is probably a radiator problem, and havem also check that out. Thanks David Beckman