What's Life Without Drama... This time it involves overheating

I have just picked up Rhino after getting the AC system refreshed with almost all new components and after getting the starter blocker switch and flushed the cooling system with the Mercedes Citric Acid, I was on my way home.

Hardly 30 mins later, the temperature spiked to almost redline and I was forced to stop by the roadside to stop any damage to the engine if there has not been any damage yet.

It took the high-speed aux fan over 15 minutes to cool the temperature to below 85c. Paying close attention to the temperature I braved, braced, and prayed while I make my way to a mechanic 5km away. It was possibly the worse 5KM after the first time that this car overheated on the old engine right after picking it, back in Sep 2020. Upon checking the engine bay, I noticed that the serpentine belt was damaged.

Upon reaching the garage, while we let the car cool down, we noticed a small pool of engine oil on the floor, the spare tank was also empty. I feared the worse if I cracked this engine due to the temperature, but I was also arguing that I believe MB would have designed cars that tolerated a little more than just the redline.

Having disclosed that there is citric acid in the cooling system, not only was the mechanic not amused, but rather he gave me an earful for putting a harsh chemical for flushing. He is not supported by harsh deep cleaning which would damage the engine, as he has experienced clients who used the said chemical and permanently damaged their engine, possibly not following the prescribed instruction.

First off, was to lift the car and inspect the leak, it was seen that the leak could either be from the rocket cover head, caused by the failed gaskets. He then went on the replaced the serpentine belt.

Once that was done, the engine bay was power washed to remove all oil stains to isolate and focus where the leak was coming from and filled the radiator spare tank full. A quick drive later, no leak was observed, and there wasn't much that could be done as we need to know where the oil was leaking from. He then went on to flush the cooling system again with fresh clean water... and only water. Once he is done, he said he suspects that the belt was not properly aligned when the compressor was replaced and also suspects that the spare tank may not have been properly filled when it was flushed for the citric acid flushing.

Off I left for home and I noticed that the temperature was cool between 78-82c all the way at any speed, and while moving or stop.

Once the engine has been left to cool overnight, I checked the engine and saw some oil sipping on the engine. The car was taken back to the mechanic to have it checked and he has narrowed the issue to a faulty rocker cover gasket. He suggested replacing the rocker cover gasket and also having the rocket cover screw seals (12 of them) to be replaced as well. Once all that was done, he filled the car with fresh coolant, this car takes in 2 bottles followed by water all the way up to full.

So far the car runs fine, but I will need to monitor the leak and hope it is resolved. Temperature is still steady between 78-82c, a lot better when it was mostly hitting 90c before being cool assisted by the high-speed aux fan triggering.

Update #1:

While the temperature issue is resolved, the leak is not, after fixing the rocker cover seal and screw seals, there was more leak observed, this time from the engine head, at the back of cylinder #1. I will save this work for another time.

Pictures:

Mercedes Citric Acid powder used for flushing

Arrow points to pool of oil leaking

Damage to the serpentine belt highlighted

New replacement serpentine belt from Continental

The steady temperature while the car was parked for over 30 mins



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