85 528e corrosion in thermostat housing, front oil seal

Subject: 85 528e corrosion in thermostat housing, front oil seal
From: henri baccouche <henri@domain.elided>
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 1996 13:37:55 +0000

I am looking to buy an automatic 528e and while I was looking at a 
1985 528e with 120k miles,the manifold preheater hose broke off the 
thermostat housing.
The alloy inlet was completely corroded.....Is this the ominous sign 
of cancerous corrosion throughout the cylinder head ? or a small issue 
of replacing the thermostat housing ? There are visible signs of 
corrosion at all the hose connections. Is cooling system corrosion 
anywhere indicative of corrosion through out the system? 
This particular car was also leaking oil from the front crankshaft  
seal.I assume that this sort of oil leak is unrepairable because the 
crankshaft seal has worn a groove into the sealing surface.I would 
appreciate any realworld advice.Is there an oversize seal? Does it 
work? Is 120K miles on an 528e auto probably too many 
miles...generally speaking?

Sincerely,
henri baccouche 
<henri@domain.elided>