Strangest Oil Leak Ever
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Strangest Oil Leak Ever
Greetings All,
I'm experiencing the strangest oil leak I've ever encountered with my W221 - 2012 S 550. It has the M278.932 engine in it. I've replaced the sealant (RTV) on the valve covers and it continues to leak. The leak is occurring on the driver side near the coil/sparkplug nearest to the firewall. Just above the heat shield that covers the exhaust manifold, the oil is pooling on that heat shield, then dripping off onto the exhaust manifold and burning off. There is no oil pooling in that sparkplug well. There is NO visible damage to the block itself, we've inspected everything as I currently have the complete drive-train out of my S 550. I just can't seem to find where the oil is coming from. It only leaks while it's running. Has anyone ever seen this before? I'm at the end of my rope here. Thanks in advance!
I'm experiencing the strangest oil leak I've ever encountered with my W221 - 2012 S 550. It has the M278.932 engine in it. I've replaced the sealant (RTV) on the valve covers and it continues to leak. The leak is occurring on the driver side near the coil/sparkplug nearest to the firewall. Just above the heat shield that covers the exhaust manifold, the oil is pooling on that heat shield, then dripping off onto the exhaust manifold and burning off. There is no oil pooling in that sparkplug well. There is NO visible damage to the block itself, we've inspected everything as I currently have the complete drive-train out of my S 550. I just can't seem to find where the oil is coming from. It only leaks while it's running. Has anyone ever seen this before? I'm at the end of my rope here. Thanks in advance!
SPONSOR
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 846
Likes: 559
From: San Jose, CA
11 E550, 16 AMG GTS, 13 S550
its not the front timing cover at the top? thats the most common leak and its a known defective RTV seal from the factory. The finish prevents good RTV adhesion
__________________
Alpha European Autotech
Purchase Amsoil at 25% off from me
Chris Tran, Retired Alpha European Autotech Owner
Amsoil Independent Dealer #7236674
Alpha European Autotech
Purchase Amsoil at 25% off from me
Chris Tran, Retired Alpha European Autotech Owner
Amsoil Independent Dealer #7236674
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 784
Likes: 249
From: USA
Greetings All,
I'm experiencing the strangest oil leak I've ever encountered with my W221 - 2012 S 550. It has the M278.932 engine in it. I've replaced the sealant (RTV) on the valve covers and it continues to leak. The leak is occurring on the driver side near the coil/sparkplug nearest to the firewall. Just above the heat shield that covers the exhaust manifold, the oil is pooling on that heat shield, then dripping off onto the exhaust manifold and burning off. There is no oil pooling in that sparkplug well. There is NO visible damage to the block itself, we've inspected everything as I currently have the complete drive-train out of my S 550. I just can't seem to find where the oil is coming from. It only leaks while it's running. Has anyone ever seen this before? I'm at the end of my rope here. Thanks in advance!
I'm experiencing the strangest oil leak I've ever encountered with my W221 - 2012 S 550. It has the M278.932 engine in it. I've replaced the sealant (RTV) on the valve covers and it continues to leak. The leak is occurring on the driver side near the coil/sparkplug nearest to the firewall. Just above the heat shield that covers the exhaust manifold, the oil is pooling on that heat shield, then dripping off onto the exhaust manifold and burning off. There is no oil pooling in that sparkplug well. There is NO visible damage to the block itself, we've inspected everything as I currently have the complete drive-train out of my S 550. I just can't seem to find where the oil is coming from. It only leaks while it's running. Has anyone ever seen this before? I'm at the end of my rope here. Thanks in advance!
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
