OM642 Cam chain cover seal oil leak

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Migg

Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2021
Messages
48
Location
Lichfield
Car
R350cdi 4 matic (2010 1st gen)
Dear all,

I have just purchased a 2010 R class 350cdi (1st gen) with 77k miles with an oil leak located on o/s the cam chain cover seal see picture. My local mechanic (non MB specialist) doesn't want to undertake the repair. I haven't come across this sort of leak on any MB forums, so I could do with your expert knowledge to find out if it desperately needs doing, and if so, if it looks like an impossibly expensive job to do.

Many thanks
 

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Dear all,

I have just purchased a 2010 R class 350cdi (1st gen) with 77k miles with an oil leak located on o/s the cam chain cover seal see picture. My local mechanic (non MB specialist) doesn't want to undertake the repair. I haven't come across this sort of leak on any MB forums, so I could do with your expert knowledge to find out if it desperately needs doing, and if so, if it looks like an impossibly expensive job to do.

Many thanks
Maybe give Mercland a ring they are just NE (?) of Birmingham , they are an MB specialist , or MSL , Birmingham
 
Maybe give Mercland a ring they are just NE (?) of Birmingham , they are an MB specialist , or MSL , Birmingham
Thanks for the tip, I was actually looking for a MB specialist in my area, I'll have a look. Has anyone heard of Monarch specialist in South Staffordshire?
 
Hi all,

Has anyone faced the same issue? How did you get it sorted?
I would love a little more feedback if possible.

Cheers
 
Hello Migg, new member here. I was browsing the internet searching info about the same issue and ended up finding this thread. I bought my S212 E300 Bluetec a few moths ago and after a while noticed the exact same spot leaking. Your picture could be taken from my car! I was wondering how did you get it sorted and how much did it come to cost?

Thanks
 
Hello Migg, new member here. I was browsing the internet searching info about the same issue and ended up finding this thread. I bought my S212 E300 Bluetec a few moths ago and after a while noticed the exact same spot leaking. Your picture could be taken from my car! I was wondering how did you get it sorted and how much did it come to cost?

Thanks
Hi,

It was the result of a mess left by a guy who tried to undertake the repair of the infamous oil cooler leak (at the bottom of the V!), failed, patched everything up, and sold the car...to me! I needed this done, the rocker cover removed to get it resealed, and a few other things. The total bill was over £2000 (work carried out by Monarch, a MB specialist near Sutton Coldfield), but the car needed lots of things to put right, so hopefully your problem should be sorted for less money.
I got the car for quite cheap, so it was worth the investment in the end.
Good luck with yours and keep us posted.
 
Ouch! Not really the answer I was hoping for! I certainly hope mine is something of lesser gravity. Did you have any other signs of leak anywhere else? I mean was the engine dry and clean everywhere else but at the front RH side down from the seal cap at the end of the cam? What I've read about the oil cooler leak, is that it typically really shows, and mostly at the back of the engine.

Fingers crossed..
 
Ouch! Not really the answer I was hoping for! I certainly hope mine is something of lesser gravity. Did you have any other signs of leak anywhere else? I mean was the engine dry and clean everywhere else but at the front RH side down from the seal cap at the end of the cam? What I've read about the oil cooler leak, is that it typically really shows, and mostly at the back of the engine.

Fingers crossed..
Yep oil leak is out the back of the engine V
 
The whole thing had been left in a messy state, even the oil pan needed to be replaced. The main leak did come from the back. The front cam leak was just an added touch from the previous owner as far as I understand it. I had the job done last February and a new leak has just started; quite minor but so annoying. Hopefully not as bad a job as the last one.
You will probably need to find a MB specialist near you as my usual garage refused to take on the oil cooler job. Did you buy the car from a dealer? Could they sort it out for you?
Let us know how you get on.
 
I took a closer look and noticed there are some attachments, brackets and bolts missing all over the front of the engine - including the plastic duct/shield between the radiator fan and the engine. Someone has made a bit of a mess there and I didn't even realize what was supposed to be there before watching a YouTube video about fixing the oil cooler leak. I'll have the car inspected at an authorized MB dealership the week after next week. With their verdict I'll then consider my options. I did buy the car from a used car dealer so he'll be hearing from me.

Updates to follow.
 
I bought mine from a private seller, so the bill was mine, unfortunately.
TBH I think I could have lived with the leak as it was not outrageously bad, but it started to make a mess of my drive and it could have led to an MOT failure. Also I suppose that it would have probably worsen with time.
These cars are great though, so it's worth trying to get it right, with the satisfaction that this is something you won't have to worry about in the foreseeable future.
Good luck anyway!
 

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