Slight oil leak

[reflexboy]

I have a very slight oil leak on my W202 (C280). Having cleaned up the engine and then run the car for a couple of weeks, it is apparent that it is comming from the front offside and rear nearside of the head gasket. I am aware that the 202's suffered from headgasket problems, but she's only done 67K miles. A few indys that I have spoken to have wanted over £1000 to replace the gasket. I don't really want spend that amount as the leak is more of a tiny dribble with probably 1-2 drips of oil on the floor a week. What I want to know is, if I removed the cam cover and tighten down the head bolts a quarter turn, will it help or worsen the leak?

 

[Ian B Walker]

My head gasket on the 260E weeped oil, for 3 years before the gasket finally went. I would advise NOT re torquing the head, all sorts of problems can manifest themselves. Not to mention stripped threads A head gasket change should not cost more than £500. 8 hours labour, cost of head set plus oil and filters.

 

[pammy]

Keep an eye on the temp as you're running it though If it starts running hotter without cause you might want to think about getting it done sooner rather than later. If the temp stays consistent then should be OK.

If you ignore a temp rise you could damage the cylinder head all together and it'll cost an even bigger fortune.

(speaketh the voice of experience - twice over!! )

 

[reflexboy]

My head gasket on the 260E weeped oil, for 3 years before the gasket finally went. I would advise NOT re torquing the head, all sorts of problems can manifest themselves. Not to mention stripped threads A head gasket change should not cost more than £500. 8 hours labour, cost of head set plus oil and filters.

Sounds fine by me Ian. So when are doing your tour of the South?

 

[reflexboy]

Keep an eye on the temp as you're running it though If it starts running hotter without cause you might want to think about getting it done sooner rather than later. If the temp stays consistent then should be OK.

If you ignore a temp rise you could damage the cylinder head all together and it'll cost an even bigger fortune.

(speaketh the voice of experience - twice over!! )

Will do Pammy. It's been weeping for the 3 years I have owned it, but I intend to keep her forever. The engine always runs at normal temp.

 

[pammy]

Will do Pammy. It's been weeping for the 3 years I have owned it, but I intend to keep her forever. The engine always runs at normal temp.

It will prob be one of those that just keeps going then. Start playing with it to stop it and it'll go completely

Mine never leaked oil - just went

 

[grober]

If you are using a very thin 0W50 OR 5W50 synthetic oil in the engine it tends to show up minor leaks. I had a similar problem with a front crankshaft seal which disappeared when I changed to a 10w40 semisynthetic. You might have to change the oil/filter a bit more frequently but otherwise cheaper and no leaks. I am assuming you have the straight6 ENGINED 280 C class and not the later v6 engine when offering this advice. You can always check your handbooks recommended oil specs.

 

[Vlad]

Front offside is likely to be coming from the timing cover seal which is a common feature on the M104 engine....the rear leak is the more concerning as its the failure point for the head gasket but as has been stated it may be many years before she blows.

Check for oil in water and also give the top radiator hose a squeeze when you start it from cold....it should be squashy...if its firm then exhaust gases are getting into the coolant and your head gasket problem is more advanced.

 

[Will]

Some great advice here from everyone, all that I'd add would be that as you are intending to keep it forever, wouldn't it make sense to get it done sooner rather than later?

See if you could combine it with your next trip up north via Ian's place?

Will

 

[Gollom]

Some great advice here from everyone, all that I'd add would be that as you are intending to keep it forever, wouldn't it make sense to get it done sooner rather than later?

See if you could combine it with your next trip up north via Ian's place?

Will

And he is soooo good at doing them!! It actually made an appreciable difference to the performance of the 300E too!

 

[reflexboy]

If you are using a very thin 0W50 OR 5W50 synthetic oil in the engine it tends to show up minor leaks. I had a similar problem with a front crankshaft seal which disappeared when I changed to a 10w40 semisynthetic. You might have to change the oil/filter a bit more frequently but otherwise cheaper and no leaks. I am assuming you have the straight6 ENGINED 280 C class and not the later v6 engine when offering this advice. You can always check your handbooks recommended oil specs.

Yes-I have the straight six 280 engine. I believe the indy that services my car uses Castrol GTX Magnatec....Is that viscosity oil ok? I think Magnatec is 15/40

 

[reflexboy]

Front offside is likely to be coming from the timing cover seal which is a common feature on the M104 engine....the rear leak is the more concerning as its the failure point for the head gasket but as has been stated it may be many years before she blows.

Check for oil in water and also give the top radiator hose a squeeze when you start it from cold....it should be squashy...if its firm then exhaust gases are getting into the coolant and your head gasket problem is more advanced.

It's defineately not coming from the timing cover seal, and there is no oil and water mixing at all.

 

[grober]

Wait and see.

Yes-I have the straight six 280 engine. I believe the indy that services my car uses Castrol GTX Magnatec....Is that viscosity oil ok? I think Magnatec is 15/40

If you are already running a 15w40 or a 10W40 oil which is fine for your engine then my "advice"of changing from a thin synthetic doesn't really apply. I think I'm with VLAD since the oil loss is minimal and most engines leak a bit with age I would be inclined to just monitor the oil and coolant on a regular basis. Could last for long enough.

 

[Dieselman]

Have a garage sniff the coolant expansion tank with the cap off, if there are any combustion gasses in the water the analyser will detect them.

 

[big x]

Front offside is likely to be coming from the timing cover seal which is a common feature on the M104 engine....the rear leak is the more concerning as its the failure point for the head gasket but as has been stated it may be many years before she blows.

Exactly right.Mercedes replaced thousands of upper timing case lip seals and head gaskets under warranty on the M104 engined cars .Some cars slipped through without the work being done if the original owners didn't say anything and soldiered on to the present day.Many E280/320's have undercarriages streaked with oil.The oil is blown off at speed so some owners may not even notice although in very hot whether oil on the cat will smoke alarmingly.

adam

 

[kth286]

reflexboy

Merc issued Technical Service Bulletin reducing the oil capacity for the 104 straight 6 engine, from 7.5 to 7 litres.

This means you should not fill to more than half way between min and max on disptick when car is on level ground.

Cured my dribble (and oil leak - ha).

 

[reflexboy]

reflexboy

Merc issued Technical Service Bulletin reducing the oil capacity for the 104 straight 6 engine, from 7.5 to 7 litres.

This means you should not fill to more than half way between min and max on disptick when car is on level ground.

Cured my dribble (and oil leak - ha).

Ummm-Very interesting-Any idea where I can see or get hold of this bulletin?