E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Sooty engine?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old May 16, 2016 | 03:35 PM
  #1  
edtse88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2003 E320
Sooty engine?

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and new to cars in general. I have a hand me down 2003 E320 that I'm hoping to keep alive.

I recently replaced the camshaft position sensor and I noticed that the front area of both sides of the engine are very sooty. I wiped a bit off and it is pretty thick in some areas. Looks like it might be burned engine oil? I am not sure. Any idea if this is a leak of some sort, and if so what area? Here are pictures of both sides of the engine:







Thanks,

Ed
Reply
Old May 16, 2016 | 11:55 PM
  #2  
rapidoxidation's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Leaky valve cover gaskets (oil) plus dirt...
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 12:00 AM
  #3  
kajtek1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Wash it and keep reinspecting.
My bet is on breather cover, and someone spilling oil at refilling.
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 10:17 AM
  #4  
edtse88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2003 E320
Originally Posted by kajtek1
Wash it and keep reinspecting.
My bet is on breather cover, and someone spilling oil at refilling.
Thanks, I looked up the breather cover and found this writeup: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...er_Gaskets.htm

The initial pictures seem pretty close to what my engine looks like. I'll wipe it down and see how bad the leak is.
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 11:00 AM
  #5  
kajtek1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
With RTV I am using simple trick my commercial-mechanic friend told me.
Do the job in the afternoon, apply RTV on the cover and hand-tight only the bolts.
Let it dry overnight and then torque everything.
I did breather 2 months ago and having differential RTV on the shelf- that is what I used.
No leaks.
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 12:12 PM
  #6  
edtse88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2003 E320
Originally Posted by kajtek1
With RTV I am using simple trick my commercial-mechanic friend told me.
Do the job in the afternoon, apply RTV on the cover and hand-tight only the bolts.
Let it dry overnight and then torque everything.
I did breather 2 months ago and having differential RTV on the shelf- that is what I used.
No leaks.
Ah right that makes sense, it'll create a better seal when tightened. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again!
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:53 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE