Oil on top of the engine - problem? Normal? Pictures
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Hers - 2003 C320. His - 2004 330i zhp 6 speed.
Oil on top of the engine - problem? Normal? Pictures
I picked up a 2003 c320 with 80K miles on it and trying to go through it so it can be a reliable car for my wife. I bought it from a friend who's had it for the last 50K miles and they've done the maintenance by what the car computer told them, which of course is not that much. No issues, no oil burning or anything like that.
While replacing the alternator, I took the air filter cover off to take a look at the top of the engine and noticed a lot of grime/dirt/oil build up. I know for a fact that my friend did not clean the engine for the last 5 years. Being new to Mercedes, I would like to get your opinion if this is a potential problem (leaking valve cover or leaking smth else) or if this is considered "normal" for this car considering the car's history I described. If it's a potential problem, what would you suggest I should check? I plan on degreasing the engine at some point to start fresh and see if I can notice a leak somewhere.
While replacing the alternator, I took the air filter cover off to take a look at the top of the engine and noticed a lot of grime/dirt/oil build up. I know for a fact that my friend did not clean the engine for the last 5 years. Being new to Mercedes, I would like to get your opinion if this is a potential problem (leaking valve cover or leaking smth else) or if this is considered "normal" for this car considering the car's history I described. If it's a potential problem, what would you suggest I should check? I plan on degreasing the engine at some point to start fresh and see if I can notice a leak somewhere.
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From: Orlando, FL
C240
Seems like you have a valve-cover leak. There isn't really a ready-made gasket to use, so most people just buy Black RTV gasket maker and reseal the valve-covers themselves. Easy job, the leak is not rare at all.
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C240
thats the valve cover gasket leak pretty common on c240 and c320 m112 engins.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ing-cover.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ing-cover.html
I picked up a 2003 c320 with 80K miles on it and trying to go through it so it can be a reliable car for my wife. I bought it from a friend who's had it for the last 50K miles and they've done the maintenance by what the car computer told them, which of course is not that much. No issues, no oil burning or anything like that.
While replacing the alternator, I took the air filter cover off to take a look at the top of the engine and noticed a lot of grime/dirt/oil build up. I know for a fact that my friend did not clean the engine for the last 5 years. Being new to Mercedes, I would like to get your opinion if this is a potential problem (leaking valve cover or leaking smth else) or if this is considered "normal" for this car considering the car's history I described. If it's a potential problem, what would you suggest I should check? I plan on degreasing the engine at some point to start fresh and see if I can notice a leak somewhere.
While replacing the alternator, I took the air filter cover off to take a look at the top of the engine and noticed a lot of grime/dirt/oil build up. I know for a fact that my friend did not clean the engine for the last 5 years. Being new to Mercedes, I would like to get your opinion if this is a potential problem (leaking valve cover or leaking smth else) or if this is considered "normal" for this car considering the car's history I described. If it's a potential problem, what would you suggest I should check? I plan on degreasing the engine at some point to start fresh and see if I can notice a leak somewhere.
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From: North San diego
C320 2002
Be very very careful with the covers on top~ the screws tend to break very very very easily. I've done the job of re sealing the top part and snapped a screw. Once again when TQin go sloww
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C240
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Since you’ll be in the vicinity, consider replacing the spark plugs concurrently. Related thread…https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post3339541
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Hers - 2003 C320. His - 2004 330i zhp 6 speed.
Specification is 8 Nm/5.9 ft-lbs/71 in-lbs. for the coil packs, PCV and cam covers’ fasteners. They're steel threading into aluminum so go easy.
Since you’ll be in the vicinity, consider replacing the spark plugs concurrently. Related thread…https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post3339541
Since you’ll be in the vicinity, consider replacing the spark plugs concurrently. Related thread…https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post3339541
Just to see if i got it right - there are small resurculating covers that are torqued to 71 in-lbs. These are the ones that are probably leaking in my case and for which I would use an RTV sealant if torquing them down does not solve the issue.
Then, there is a valve cover... What's the torque for that?
Last edited by vert; Dec 26, 2010 at 11:25 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Hers - 2003 C320. His - 2004 330i zhp 6 speed.
