bdcm1688

I have a leak in the area of my front main seal. I pulled off the cowling underneath to view better and it appears to be directly below the crank. I am an amateur but a reasonably proficient DIYer who loves to try to avoid big dealer prices. Can anyone offer instructions, advice or precautions for me. I believe the part is under $20 if it is in fact the front seal, but the dealer wants around $300.
Thanks for any help.

mbtech208

You're sure it's the front crank seal? A much more common leak on the front of the inline-six is the cylinder head front cover, it could be running down the front of the engine, making it appear to come from the crank area.

bdcm1688

I think you are probably right. Since I posted the first question. I got a better look and it does appear to be coming from a higher location. Maybe timing chain cover? Someone else has told me that that was a more common problem on that engine. A local garage quoted me $750. Sounds a little steep to me. Do you know if it requires special tools or special knowledge? I've replaced water pumps, valve cover gaskets, mechanical fuel pumps and such. I would love to attempt it.

mbtech208

I don't think its the timing chain cover, but rather the smaller cover that's at the front of the cylinder head. It's extremely easy to reseal. All you really need to do is take the valve cover off and some various brackets and vacuum lines.

bdcm1688

Thanks. Are you suggesting that it doesn't require a gasket, but just cleaned, reseated and resealed with sealant?

mbtech208

There is a small half-square shaped seal at the bottom of the cover, but the rest of it is just sealed with black silicone.

jonboy

I don't know all of the particulars with your problem, but late model E classes are notorious for leaking head gaskets that must be replaced.

mbtech208

The head gasket almost always leaks at the right rear corner of the cylinder head, his leak is at the front of the engine. It's always possible, but in all probability the leak is coming from the cylinder head front cover.