smelling oil
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA
1998 C43, White over two tone
smelling oil
Hey guys. I have noticed recently that after driving my car I am smelling the distinctive aroma of burnt oil from under the hood. I am no mechanic, but I popped dthe hood and did notice a couple drips on my passenger side header, right next to the engine block. I cleaned those up but the smell still exists. It is kinda hard to see up in there, but I think there appears to be a leak from a gasket where the header meets the block. any suggestions or ideas before I have to take her to the stealership? If that gasket is bad, would that be covered under starmark? And this one may be a stupid question, but can the oil get hot enough on my headers to catch fire?
By the way, oil levels and colors look good.
Jeff
By the way, oil levels and colors look good.
Jeff
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
things with and without wheels
It could also be coming from the valve cove and trickeling down onto the manifold header.Get it check out, the smell alone would drive me nuts and yes it's possible for the oil to catch fire depending on the leak and how hot the pipe is.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
I would wash the engine very carefully with GUNK, and water, and smell again. Hopefuly, not a leak or a bad leak!
Good luck
Good luck
Originally Posted by VAamg
Hey guys. I have noticed recently that after driving my car I am smelling the distinctive aroma of burnt oil from under the hood. I am no mechanic, but I popped dthe hood and did notice a couple drips on my passenger side header, right next to the engine block. I cleaned those up but the smell still exists. It is kinda hard to see up in there, but I think there appears to be a leak from a gasket where the header meets the block. any suggestions or ideas before I have to take her to the stealership? If that gasket is bad, would that be covered under starmark? And this one may be a stupid question, but can the oil get hot enough on my headers to catch fire?
By the way, oil levels and colors look good.
Jeff
By the way, oil levels and colors look good.
Jeff
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Jeff, sounds like you have a small leak somewhere...remove the air cleaner cover and look around with a powerful flashlight, you might need to remove some of the coil packs to get a better look. As Roberts attests, you could have a fire if you sit in traffic and that header gets hot enough.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA
1998 C43, White over two tone
Solution:: Just wanted to post what the dealership found so that if you guys are having similar problems it might help.
both Valve cover gaskets leaking, as well as passenger side valve cover.
Replaced passenger side valve cover (looks nice all clean too) and driver's side gasket. Leaks were gone.
Was in the shop for two days, half day to find problem, waited a day for parts to arrive, and half day to put back together. Thank God for Starmark, saved me about $560.
Hope this is of service to soemoen one of tehse days
both Valve cover gaskets leaking, as well as passenger side valve cover.
Replaced passenger side valve cover (looks nice all clean too) and driver's side gasket. Leaks were gone.
Was in the shop for two days, half day to find problem, waited a day for parts to arrive, and half day to put back together. Thank God for Starmark, saved me about $560.
Hope this is of service to soemoen one of tehse days
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Originally Posted by VAamg
Solution:: Just wanted to post what the dealership found so that if you guys are having similar problems it might help.
both Valve cover gaskets leaking, as well as passenger side valve cover.
Replaced passenger side valve cover (looks nice all clean too) and driver's side gasket. Leaks were gone.
Was in the shop for two days, half day to find problem, waited a day for parts to arrive, and half day to put back together. Thank God for Starmark, saved me about $560.
Hope this is of service to soemoen one of tehse days
both Valve cover gaskets leaking, as well as passenger side valve cover.
Replaced passenger side valve cover (looks nice all clean too) and driver's side gasket. Leaks were gone.
Was in the shop for two days, half day to find problem, waited a day for parts to arrive, and half day to put back together. Thank God for Starmark, saved me about $560.
Hope this is of service to soemoen one of tehse days
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
I appreciate that info! Would someone tell me what Starmark is? Is it extended warranty? I bought my car with 1 year extended warranty at the local used car lot, it is like Gold one or something, covers almost everthing (except my only problem which is the SRS light). I wish I could use it for front brake job 
If Starmark is a warranty ( i really don't know), i might look into it..
Thank you
If Starmark is a warranty ( i really don't know), i might look into it..
Thank you
Originally Posted by VAamg
Solution:: Just wanted to post what the dealership found so that if you guys are having similar problems it might help.
both Valve cover gaskets leaking, as well as passenger side valve cover.
Replaced passenger side valve cover (looks nice all clean too) and driver's side gasket. Leaks were gone.
Was in the shop for two days, half day to find problem, waited a day for parts to arrive, and half day to put back together. Thank God for Starmark, saved me about $560.
Hope this is of service to soemoen one of tehse days
both Valve cover gaskets leaking, as well as passenger side valve cover.
Replaced passenger side valve cover (looks nice all clean too) and driver's side gasket. Leaks were gone.
Was in the shop for two days, half day to find problem, waited a day for parts to arrive, and half day to put back together. Thank God for Starmark, saved me about $560.
Hope this is of service to soemoen one of tehse days
Last edited by Vardar; Mar 16, 2006 at 08:02 PM.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA
1998 C43, White over two tone
Starmark is an extended warranty offered by Mercedes on their certified pre-owned cars. I don't believe you can purchase them unless the dealership was a benz dealership and it was put on at the time or purchase. My previous owner was a former mercedes salesman and he got the longest one possible so I am covered through Jan 07.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
Wow! Thank you.... Luckyyyyyyyyyyyy
Originally Posted by VAamg
Starmark is an extended warranty offered by Mercedes on their certified pre-owned cars. I don't believe you can purchase them unless the dealership was a benz dealership and it was put on at the time or purchase. My previous owner was a former mercedes salesman and he got the longest one possible so I am covered through Jan 07.
