oil leak from the back of the engine
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
oil leak from the back of the engine
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 0
From: Belfast, N Ireland
93 320CE, 72 280SE 3.5, 55 220A, 05 E280CDI, 88 Mini Mayfair, 90 Peugeot 205GTI, 04 Mini Cooper
Most likely as oliverb states.
I replaced my gasket last week and hey presto! no more oil leak.
I replaced my gasket last week and hey presto! no more oil leak.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Salem, OR
08 Lexus GS350 AWD. 08 Lexus RX350 AWD - wife's. 94 MBZ E320 - still have it.
Let us know of the verdict. I tend to agree with Jer, because that's where mine leaked before I replaced the engine gasket.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
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.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
finally i found my problem
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
finally i found my problem
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Always get a second opinion.
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.
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.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
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?
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?
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
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?
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?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Not a gasket problem after all
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Salem, OR
08 Lexus GS350 AWD. 08 Lexus RX350 AWD - wife's. 94 MBZ E320 - still have it.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
Originally posted by 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?
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?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 310
Likes: 49
From: AZ
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.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
2010 mercedes e550 4matic
2010 e550
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
