Big help req E320 1996 W210 head gasket leak.

[LYNALL]

Quick background history.
Engine is straight six i beleive M104 designation.
Bought car 1 yr ago knew about oil leak goes onto must do list.
One year later remove head examine all faces fit new gaskets and away we go, until i got home and it is leaking oil offside front of engine.
The head has been of before.
Next week remove head have skimmed, new head bolts ,new gasket set and reassemble oil leak banished .
One week later the leak is back i think from same place very awkward to see even with a mirror, now as i have done everything by the book what can the problem now?, what have i missed?.
Any help much appreciated.
Mercedes have apparently modded this gasket many times the oilway on the gasket where the leak is from i think feeds the variable valve timing on the inlet cam is this my problem?
Sorry to waffle on but this has got me beat.
Torque figures used 55nm plus 90 deg plus 90 deg.

Lynall

 

[mjtray]

Sounds similar to a leak I had on my E280 M104 engine.....is it coming from the left hand side as you look at the engine and right at the front....the oil on mine dripped down and onto the alternator.

Turned out to be the timing cover gasket, which I believe is a common leak area and is the gasket that sits behind the grey plastic cover right at the front of the head.

If it is this, its cheap to have done....cost me £75.00 and hasn't leaked since.

I hope for your sanity that it is this, otherwise I'm stumped on this one.

Good luck

 

[Smalley]

Yep, sounds like your like is coming from the timing chain cover. It is the U-shaped portion of the head where it meets the timing chain cover.

This is a very difficult area to properly seal. It takes a special paste that is available from a dealer.