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My same reaction. Another worthless post from him. It’s almost as if he gets paid to bash a car from a brand he doesn’t even own. Sad individual he is.
This thread scares the heck out of me. A real worry for long term ownership.
Oil separators are the reason for all those issues. If you get updated version installed and do oil changes every 5k miles, I dont think you would have any problems
Oil separators are the reason for all those issues. If you get updated version installed and do oil changes every 5k miles, I dont think you would have any problems
Are they going to change out the OVS too, or just reseal the valve cover gaskets?
When they did mine replacing the OVS was part of the job
they should replace OVS otherwise it would cause same issue since there will still be extra pressure. I havent heard them since I dropped the car off. I hope I will learn more next week
Oil separators are the reason for all those issues. If you get updated version installed and do oil changes every 5k miles, I dont think you would have any problems
that’s a big job and doesn’t make the car worth anymore money.
that’s a big job and doesn’t make the car worth anymore money.
Replacing the OVS is not a big job, actually. Avoiding the valve cover repair is well worth the effort. In my S580 I am changing oil every 5k for that reason.
altay, when you get the car back, please post the OVS part numbers they used ... I've been trying to understand these, particularly the one of the left side of the engine. That one is a bit of a mystery; there's no part number that I can find for it, and when I asked a dealer what part number to use they researched my VIN and still couldn't identify the number. They said the only way to know was the take off the old one and read the number off it! I made the same inquiry with a friend who has a German parts business and he talked to his Mercedes contacts and got the same answer, to get the number off the existing part and use that.
I think these things have been through many changes and re-designs so that may help explain the confusion.
This is an interesting animation for those interested in how the M17x goes together. At 1:24 we can see the cam cover coming off, and it does appear to be a single unit from front to back with a separate piece in the front over the gears/chains ... notice too, there is a retainer of sorts near the center of each cam which prevents it from lifting up out of the head when the cover is off ...
altay, when you get the car back, please post the OVS part numbers they used ... I've been trying to understand these, particularly the one of the left side of the engine. That one is a bit of a mystery; there's no part number that I can find for it, and when I asked a dealer what part number to use they researched my VIN and still couldn't identify the number. They said the only way to know was the take off the old one and read the number off it! I made the same inquiry with a friend who has a German parts business and he talked to his Mercedes contacts and got the same answer, to get the number off the existing part and use that.
I think these things have been through many changes and re-designs so that may help explain the confusion.
Seems odd. If there's an updated part it usually gets a new number and that's what you would want to use rather than the original part number.
Oh, and the Service Advisor at the Mercedes dealer here told me he wasn't aware of a problem of valve cover oil leaks on M176 engines, nor was my independent shop. Wouldn't you think these guys would follow user forums like this to see what issues owners are experiencing?
Oh, and the Service Advisor at the Mercedes dealer here told me he wasn't aware of a problem of valve cover oil leaks on M176 engines, nor was my independent shop. Wouldn't you think these guys would follow user forums like this to see what issues owners are experiencing?
Interesting...But if you think about it; only 2 people on this entire forum have had a valve cover leak with an S560. Maybe I missed the others, but only you and @SW20S to my knowledge, and no RMS leaks at this point that I can remember on an S560 so maybe it is quite rare.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Jan 7, 2026 at 05:28 PM.
Reason: spelling
There have definitely been more valve cover leaks on the forum than just me and Tom, my dealer said its common so did my independent. There also are some YT videos.
My guess is a lot of people have leaking covers and don't know because they haven't pulled the spark plugs
Replacing the OVS is not a big job, actually. Avoiding the valve cover repair is well worth the effort. In my S580 I am changing oil every 5k for that reason.
Oil Vapor Separator
Thanks or that. Is it safe to assume that the OVS is the PVC for this engine or is PVC handled in another separate mechanism?
There have definitely been more valve cover leaks on the forum than just me and Tom, my dealer said its common so did my independent. There also are some YT videos.
My guess is a lot of people have leaking covers and don't know because they haven't pulled the spark plugs
I am not a fan of the word "common" without context. Does common mean it happens frequently or does common mean if there is a problem, then it's a valve cover leak? And what percentage/frequency/number?
I am not a fan of the word "common" without context. Does common mean it happens frequently or does common mean if there is a problem, then it's a valve cover leak? And what percentage/frequency/number?
I wouldn't say "all of them have this happen", but I think its safe to say its an issue this engine can have and nobody should be surprised if their engine has it.
Originally Posted by Technaholic
Thanks or that. Is it safe to assume that the OVS is the PVC for this engine or is PVC handled in another separate mechanism?
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.
