Oil leak on top, fouling coil, need repair advice.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
Likes: 13
From: Amber waves of grain.
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet
Oil leak on top, fouling coil, need repair advice.
Oil leak on top, fouling coil, need repair advice.
About a month ago got coil error code for cyl 3. Posted on this forum. Got zero response.
Used multiplexer to clear these codes to see if they would reappear--they reappeared in about 48 hours--not ghosts.
Then I removed air cleaner and discovered an oil leak, see attachment.
Then, removed coil on cyl 3; removed both plug wires from coil; used brake cleaner and compressed air to clean contact points on plug wires, coil, spark plugs caps on cyl 3, did not remove plugs.
Used brake cleaner & compressed air to clean engine valve cover, etc. where oil leak occurred. Replaced coil, etc.
After discovering oil leak, did not do A/B test by exchanging coils to determine if coil was bad. Instead, just dealt with oil leak to see if it caused some sort of fouling of the coil thus generating the error codes. Code have not reappeared in a month, so source of problem seems to have been this oil leak.
Question 1: Would like to repair this oil leak. This right side valve cover is different for the left side valve cover, in that it has a secondary cover, maybe some sort of inspection cover, don't know its purpose. Its gasket is possibly the source of the leak. What is this secondary cover ?
Question 2: Anyone have any info on this problem ?
About a month ago got coil error code for cyl 3. Posted on this forum. Got zero response.
Used multiplexer to clear these codes to see if they would reappear--they reappeared in about 48 hours--not ghosts.
Then I removed air cleaner and discovered an oil leak, see attachment.
Then, removed coil on cyl 3; removed both plug wires from coil; used brake cleaner and compressed air to clean contact points on plug wires, coil, spark plugs caps on cyl 3, did not remove plugs.
Used brake cleaner & compressed air to clean engine valve cover, etc. where oil leak occurred. Replaced coil, etc.
After discovering oil leak, did not do A/B test by exchanging coils to determine if coil was bad. Instead, just dealt with oil leak to see if it caused some sort of fouling of the coil thus generating the error codes. Code have not reappeared in a month, so source of problem seems to have been this oil leak.
Question 1: Would like to repair this oil leak. This right side valve cover is different for the left side valve cover, in that it has a secondary cover, maybe some sort of inspection cover, don't know its purpose. Its gasket is possibly the source of the leak. What is this secondary cover ?
Question 2: Anyone have any info on this problem ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 4
From: San Antonio, Tx
2000 CLK430
The smaller part on the valve cover is the Breather Cover. I found this on another forum:
I guess I am one of the unlucky guys who have both a valve cover leak and a broken breather cover. If you do have a valve cover leak after checking, just change the gasket. If breather cover leak alone, use only sealant, greg suggested high temp RTV permatex ultragrey (cost about $8). if you are getting new parts, you cannot buy the breather cover separately, it comes with the valve cover as one whole unit unfortunately. good luck
I guess I am one of the unlucky guys who have both a valve cover leak and a broken breather cover. If you do have a valve cover leak after checking, just change the gasket. If breather cover leak alone, use only sealant, greg suggested high temp RTV permatex ultragrey (cost about $8). if you are getting new parts, you cannot buy the breather cover separately, it comes with the valve cover as one whole unit unfortunately. good luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, NH
none
Looks like a good amount is weeping out there. I replaced mine years ago when I first bought it. Saturday afternoon job, minimal beer/profanity. No special skills/tools, just attention to detail and patience especially when dropping the new gasket/cover in place. I recommend a very thorough cleaning of the areas before you start.
In a situation like this I would usually re-torque the bolts with hope they just wiggled loose. Then go from there. Check on tightening pattern and torque specs to be safe. I don't recall the #'s or where I found them, 90% sure it was here somewhere.
In a situation like this I would usually re-torque the bolts with hope they just wiggled loose. Then go from there. Check on tightening pattern and torque specs to be safe. I don't recall the #'s or where I found them, 90% sure it was here somewhere.
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Hollywood, CA.
2005 CLK55 COUPE
I had the same problem and corrected it a few months ago. Its actually a really easy task. I believe the cover you're talking about is called breather/vent cover. On mine, I could visually tell where the leak was coming from and also noticed the bolts holding the valve covers were loose as well so I replaced both valve cover gaskets to be on the safe side due to leaks on both sides of the valve cover and the breather/vent covers. The hardest step involved is cleaning the old RTV sealant off of both pieces (breather/vent side and valve covers) just make sure to put enough RTV sealant back on to make sure it does not leak again. The gaskets cost about $16.00 each at AutohausAZ.com and a pack of high temp RTV sealant is about $7.00 at a local auto parts store.
Trending Topics
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
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
Likes: 13
From: Amber waves of grain.
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet
Here's a follow up.
Made an instructional on repairing the vent cover leak.
Will also post this instructional as an independent topic.
Link:
http://www.panchogun.com/FVWebPhotos...ather-Vent.jpg
Made an instructional on repairing the vent cover leak.
Will also post this instructional as an independent topic.
Link:
http://www.panchogun.com/FVWebPhotos...ather-Vent.jpg
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
This is great as i am about to do this job this weekend, here is a quick question, i need to also do my valve cover gaskets as well as the breather gaskets, do i have to use rtv silicone for the valve cover gasket as well or do i just rub some of theoil on the new one and install it?
