Oil leak - Rocker Cover???

[haggis0073]

hey all, is this oil leak in pic due to the rocker cover gaskets needing replacement?

Noticed this oil leak whilst checking ATF dipstick cap

 

[renault12ts]

This is typical of the M112 and M113 engines. Usually not the actual rocker covers but the covers on the rocker covers. To the left in your first pic.

 

[haggis0073]

OK cheers. Do you know what I need to do to rectify the problem

 

[Edd1968]

...they all come like that sir! I have 4 rocker covers on our drive that have the same. it's not that bad so I just ignore it. The oil residue protects the motor!!

 

[haggis0073]

You sure make me feel better with your posts Edd

Hey can I ask you if the steering on the clk are meant to be heavy, i checked the fluid and all seems fine, no moans, groans or whines. Just feels heavy, especially when reversing. You seem to know these cars very well lol

 

[Edd1968]

Yours has 16s on it with 205s it shouldn't be that heavy. Mrs Edd1968's is the same and hers feels fine. I have 235s on the front and it's slightly heavier but no different in reverse. Not sure about that one. Top mount bearings potentially but you said no groans etc. If you jack the front up such that both wheels are off the ground then check it you'll know if the bearings are OK.

 

[Edd1968]

Yours has 16s on it with 205s it shouldn't be that heavy. Mrs Edd1968's is the same and hers feels fine. I have 235s on the front and it's slightly heavier but no different in reverse. Not sure about that one. Top mount bearings potentially but you said no groans etc. If you jack the front up such that both wheels are off the ground then check it you'll know if the bearings are OK.

 

[haggis0073]

Cheers. Will try that out

 

[PobodY]

Again, that's clearly a problem they fixed with the M272. - I'm always surprised at quite how clean it looks under the covers.

I would agree that the steering shouldn't feel particularly heavy. - Mine is equipped with (213) speed-sensitive power steering/vario steering; is that the same as on the earlier models?
Any chance it's not working as it should and so not giving the expected assistance at slow speeds?

Out of interest, why do you have 235 size tyres on the front Edd? - Mine are 225/40/R18 (and 255/35/R18 on the rear axle).

 

[haggis0073]

its a weird one, i just took it out to check all tyre pressures and all are ok, i did notice though that i have 4 different brands (and tread patterns) of tyres fitted so will be getting these all changed next week (luckily my brother in law works in a tyre garage so can get them cheap)

Also when i go round a roundabout/corner etc the steering wheel does not return to center, its almost like i have to return it straight (if that makes any sense)

 

[pcthrillrider]

OK cheers. Do you know what I need to do to rectify the problem

a lot of time doing this job, removing both breather covers cleaning old sealent off degreasing new sealent and must use new bolts as old ones are alluminiom

 

[Edd1968]

Out of interest, why do you have 235 size tyres on the front Edd? - Mine are 225/40/R18 (and 255/35/R18 on the rear axle).

Mine aren't oem, they're wider. I have 8.5" fronts and a 225 fits, it is too stretched over them. So I swapped them for 235 35s
See what I mean....
Has negligible effect on the steering but aesthetically it looks better.

 

[AMGeed]

This is typical of the M112 and M113 engines. Usually not the actual rocker covers but the covers on the rocker covers. To the left in your first pic.

As above, those breather covers often leak. No gasket as such, its a sealant out of a tube. Make sure you thoroughly clean off the old residue first before resealing.

 

[PobodY]

its a weird one, i just took it out to check all tyre pressures and all are ok, i did notice though that i have 4 different brands (and tread patterns) of tyres fitted so will be getting these all changed next week (luckily my brother in law works in a tyre garage so can get them cheap)

Also when i go round a roundabout/corner etc the steering wheel does not return to center, its almost like i have to return it straight (if that makes any sense)

I wonder if this is an alignment issue. - Excessive toe-in for example (perhaps on just one side) such that at low speed the tyres are fighting each other, and when you come off the roundabout the steering is simply following one wheel.

 

[grober]

Heavy steering and a refusal to naturally return to centre points to bad castor angle. By altering the contact point of the tyre in relation to the kingpin inclination by using wider front wheels with possibly the wrong wheel offset also you may have upset the steering geometry? I would suggest a return the standard wheel+ wheel offset+ tyre width at the front to see if that helps.

Mitsubishi Lancer Register

 

[Major774]

For your rocker covers. You need to order some new gaskets and the below for the upper covers.

Genuine Mercedes-Benz / Smart Engine Sealant A003989982010 NEW! | eBay

 

[Edd1968]

Heavy steering and a refusal to naturally return to centre points to bad castor angle. By altering the contact point of the tyre in relation to the kingpin inclination by using wider front wheels with possibly the wrong wheel offset also you may have upset the steering geometry? I would suggest a return the standard wheel+ wheel offset+ tyre width at the front to see if that helps.

Mitsubishi Lancer Register

OP has standard set up on his car with 16" wheels. 205 55 fronts and 225 50 rears.
It's me who has a different set up.
My set up however hasn't changed my steering enough to be noticeable.

 

[haggis0073]

I wonder if this is an alignment issue. - Excessive toe-in for example (perhaps on just one side) such that at low speed the tyres are fighting each other, and when you come off the roundabout the steering is simply following one wheel.

Will mention the alignment to garage next week when i get the tyres all replaced. Appreciated

 

[AltonAnt]

As above, those breather covers often leak. No gasket as such, its a sealant out of a tube. Make sure you thoroughly clean off the old residue first before resealing.

Mine were leaking enough on one side only to very occasional drip onto one of the exhaust shields.
I didn't fancy doing the whole reseal for such a minor leak so just cleaned up the area really well and run a bead of high temperature silicone sealant (Silcoset 158) around the edge which has been fine for a year. When it starts again I'll remove the cover and do it properly.

You'll also most likely need to replace the bolts if they are alloy with stainless due to them being so soft.

 

[haggis0073]

As above, those breather covers often leak. No gasket as such, its a sealant out of a tube. Make sure you thoroughly clean off the old residue first before resealing.

For your rocker covers. You need to order some new gaskets and the below for the upper covers.

Genuine Mercedes-Benz / Smart Engine Sealant A003989982010 NEW! | eBay

Appreciate the info and advice guys Things will slowly be getting fixed off my to do list, i think the previous owner let her go a bit. Nothing major at the moment though