Oil level and coolant help please
 

Feel a bit of an idiot asking this but can somebody please advice?

I've noticed a sort of burning plastic smell from my C63 AMG over the last few weeks, more noticeable from the outside. Car has only done about 15k miles and is due a major service (B5) in a few weeks.

Anyway, I thought I'd check the oil and coolant levels even though no warning lights have come up. I can't find my handbook so am guided by google.

In terms of coolant level there is meant to be some kind of marker visible when you remove the cap but I can't see one. This is what it looks like. Btw, coolant temp reaches 107 degrees C, is this too high?



http://i1314.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7bk5q9bk.jpg


http://i1314.photobucket.com/albums/...psz1cskfhk.jpg


In terms of oil level it's meant to be within the two red plastic markers but I seem to have some smears way up the body of the dipstick. Like this

http://i1314.photobucket.com/albums/...pssi4fttap.jpg


Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Both look OK. You can try to clean the smears to get a cleaner reading. On most coolant reservoirs there is a level indicator of some sort.

Would investigate burning smell asap.

107C coolant is not surprising for emissions/economy. It may well go lower when you are exercising the engine by means of ECU controlled water pump/thermostat, but I don't know Mercs.

Thanks John. Any idea what the burning smell might be, its definitely a plastic burn smell not oil.

The problem is I was planning to px the car in very soon so really didn't want to spend any money on it right now.

I don't want the engine going bang though!

Carrier bag stuck on the exhaust?

Quite a common issue on many cars.

Most of it will probably have melted away and shrunk so you probably won't see it at causal glance but the burnt reminants will carry on giving off a stench for ages.

Hi Ali

This is what I first suspected and had a look under the car but couldn't see anything. I'll take another look.

Cheers

Cheers Ali.

It did turn out to be a plastic bag stuck on the exhaust! Phew, panic over.

:thumb: :cool: