1stmbenz

Hi everyone

I have a oil leak coming from the back part of my engine. I'm not sure where its coming from. Hopefully on Monday i can get my mechanic to put in on the hoist. Also, for sure I know its oil, i'm not sure if its engine oil or transmission oil. I was able to dab some of the oil off the ground with paper towel just to verify. The appearance of the oil seamed very clean as is my engine oil. Suggestions would be appreciated. Also, when I opened the hood, I could hear fizzing noise, as if something was dripping onto the exhaust manifold.

Jer

The head gasket is known to leak on the M103 engine. Also, the radial seal at the output shaft to the transmission could be leaking. Big $$$ to replace

redcoupe

BIG $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

1stmbenz

head gasket was done last April. Hoping I can get my mechanic to put it on the hoist on Monday.

oliverb

Check the back of the valve cover gasket. This is a possible source for a leak and inexpensive to repair. Oil can run down the back of the head and over the rest of the engine below.

230TErry

Most likely as oliverb states.

I replaced my gasket last week and hey presto! no more oil leak.

Arnie

Let us know of the verdict. I tend to agree with Jer, because that's where mine leaked before I replaced the engine gasket.

bamberger_1

check the oil filter if its tighten properly. Also after the replacement of the filter, most of the time time oil is dipping out of the old filter and it last for some time to disappear.

1stmbenz

hey everyone

I was able to get my car on the lift today. The culprit seems to be the valve cover gasket on the passenger side. The driver side shows no sign of a leak. I will have both gaskets done at the same time. Total cost is $200.

1stmbenz

hey everyone

I was able to get my car on the lift today. The culprit seems to be the valve cover gasket on the passenger side. The driver side shows no sign of a leak. I will have both gaskets done at the same time. Total cost is $200.

Jer

$200?!?!?!?! WTF?!?!

If this an M103 engine, there is only one valve cover gasket. The gasket is about $15. Replace it yourself!

1stmbenz

Hey everyone

I was able to catch up to my regular mechanic on Saturday morning. I explained to him how i saw oil dripping from my car the previous week. Also, from my earlier postings, last Thursday I went to another independent garage just to get my car put on the lift. I was able to see a big wet spot of oil. That mechanic was actually able to get be to believe it was the valve cover gasket on the passenger side. His price was $175 to do one valve cover gasket and a extra $25 dollars if I wanted both done. Now getting back to my mechanic, who had previously did the valves and head work on my car. He took is light and he examined the engine, asking me which side the oil was coming from. After telling him the passenger's side he checked the valve cover gasket and said it was not leaking. On a my 400E there is a hose on the upper rear of the passenger side valve cover that is held in position by a self-tightening clamp. This was where my leak was coming from. After 10 minutes of finding a new clamp, everything was good to go. I've had my Mercedes for almost a year now, I'm learning alot not just about Mercedes but cars in general. The 1993 400E is definite keeper.

Jer

Phew! Close call there! I would've hated for you to spend $200 for valve cover gaskets, even more so as they weren't needed!

king_j

dont want to start a new thread about a old topic.
I have a 1990 300E 2.6. there is a leak from the front of the engine on the pass side. It looks like it the headgasket, leaking oil. Ive heard this is normal, and expensive to fix. Seeing as its on the outside, and the inner part of the gasket is fine, would it be safe to put something like a jb weld over the area that leaks?

king_j

dont want to start a new thread about a old topic.
I have a 1990 300E 2.6. there is a leak from the front of the engine on the pass side. It looks like it the headgasket, leaking oil. Ive heard this is normal, and expensive to fix. Seeing as its on the outside, and the inner part of the gasket is fine, would it be safe to put something like a jb weld over the area that leaks?

1stmbenz

I was able to get catch up to my mechanic who did my valve and head work. He looked over the engine and said he couldn't find and kind of gasket leak. As he looked further at the driver's side valve cover he noticed a hose thats connected to the rear part of the valve cover was loose. This hose is held in place by a clamp. The clamp is a self-tightening style. My mechanic replaced the clamp and that was it. I'm still learning alot about my 400E, still working up the confidence to better at troubleshooting.

Arnie

king_i, to answer your question, yes, it is head gasket leak. It is very typical for an MBZ in-line six. Not fatal, but very annoying. If the leak is minor, you can try to re-torque the head bolts, sometimes it helps. Otherwise you would have to replace the head gasket. I did mine myself, but my brother is a professional mechanic and he helped me. I got a quote from the dealer it was around $1100. Like I said I did the labor myself and parts were about $200, because i replaced the valve stem seals as well, while the head was off the engine.

bamberger_1

Be carful with quick diagnosis. The 260E and the 300E (M103) have a history of leaky front covers. (the cover behind the time chain is running). The oil leaks and the fan drive the oil across the engine, ant the gnerator, and most mechanics tell it might be the head gasket, since this is the more expensive job to do.The front cover is devided into two parts. The upper part gasket is simple to be replaced, the lower part's gasket is about 10-15 hours labour, and little in parts. But in none of the cases the head has to come off. To find out, you need to clean the engine very well, and apply "chalk dust" agents to follow the leaks to their origine. Then you know. It takes some extra actions but may save you $$$.

paste

Nobody ever says why these engines are prone to leak from the hg at that location. I have a 4 cylinder Mercedes inline engine and am in the process of changing the hg and am hoping that gasket manufacturing has improved in two decades. A lot of people like the motors but all the inline engines have the same problem.

benzclubw212

I replaced oil centrifuge cover, oil drip pan, intake manifold, and oil separator and I still have oil bring on the rear passenger side of my engine. You can smell the burning oil but can’t see where it’s coming from if I give it some hard gas it will get messy but under regular driving conditions it’s barely noticeable but it still smokes. I need the best answers possible i mashed it hard one night and that’s when it started smoking