W202 M104 Most likely for front of engine oil leak??

[Big Dan]

Been rolling round under my car today changing the steering damper and have noticed quite a substantial amount of oil down the front end of the engine near the pulleys, down the left side of the engine, and sprayed along the bottom of the car/bottom tray.

Oil levels seem to be fine on the dipstick so not sure where its come from?

I've also got a hissing/fast ticking noise coming from the right hand side of the engine which may or may not be related as can find any air leaks etc?

I will clean it up on my next day off to see where its originating from but just wondering if there is anywhere in particular that I should pay particular attention to??

Cheers

Dan

 

[BlackC55]

The front cover and head gasket are the normal culprits.

 

[Big Dan]

Front Cover?? Is that a plate behind the pulleys (cant find it on the russian WIS site!).

And would there be other signs (bar the hissing possibly) to show it was the head gasket?? (Milky residue in oil etc)
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[andymerc]

Front engine cover is at the front of the cylinder head ,change the rubber seal first its about £5 to buy normally green in colour

 

[hotrodder]

There's some detail on the notoriously leaky front cover in this m104 head gasket article

There was apparantly a TSB for M104 engines where the oil capacity was reduced from the origional 7.5l by half a litre or so- often the recommendation is to fill to no more than 1/2 between min/max marks on dipstick

 

[Big Dan]

Front engine cover is at the front of the cylinder head ,change the rubber seal first its about £5 to buy normally green in colour

Is that the one in photo 10 or hotrod's link or one thats easier to get to??

Hodrod - Just what I needed thanks.