M104 Oil Leak - how long to leave it?

[S80]

Yesterday I did an oil change on the 280E (W124) and gave the old girl a 'once-over' whilst I was on my back (oo-errr!).

Since buying the car two years ago I've been aware of the usual oil leak from the RH side of the engine. It seems to be from both front and rear corners - but that may be due to the oil 'travelling' from one end to the other.

The bottom of the alternator is coated in oil, but the internals look dry. No obvious wetness on the engine undertray, but it was a bit filthy

My question is basically - how quickly can this leak change from 'mildly irritating' to 'get it fixed pronto'? Will it just continue to leak oil to the exterior, or are leaks to coolant/bores inevitable?

The car must be worth all of £5-600, so a full head job - even DIY - seems uneconomic. Coupled with the prospect of a crumbling wiring harness when removing the head makes the job even less appealing

I thought I'd be able to treat the W124 as a 'bangernomics' exercise, but sadly it has really grown on me, and is a very enjoyable 'old-school' drive.

I guess I could always trade it in for a brand new Picanto under the 'scrappage' scheme..... :Oops:

 

[television]

It is normally the timing case cover, where it meets the head gasket, it can be fixed quite easily but the damper has to be removed

 

[S80]

Hi Malcolm,

Thanks for the quick reply. It could well be the timing cover - I didn't have time to de-grease the area properly, so just assumed the worst

I'll get the Gunk out one evening and give that side of the engine a blasting!

Cheers,
David

 

[teddycatkin]

Hi David-- in answer as to how urgent--is it losing oil visibly on dipstick / requiring top ups all the time ? I had the same on a 230te for 4 years but it was so small I left it alone - it even went between oil changes without topping up--as it weeps out and runs down under the engine it often looks a lot worse than it is .

 

[S80]

Hi Teddy,

The oil loss is not really noticeable on the dipstick - about ½ litre in 10,000 miles total consumption.

A little does seem to go a long way, though, when spread out over the engine! There's a bit at the back where the exhaust downpipe passes very close, which I think gives rise to a hot oily smell from time to time.

At the current rate I can live with the leak quite happily - just not sure what the long-term prognosis is :neutral:

I do still like getting my hands oily, so might start scouring E**y and squirreling away gaskety things ready for a head-off job. The job doesn't scare me, but finding the time (and goodwill from SWMBO) can be difficult!

 

[kth286]

David

you are talking about the 104 engine - yes ?

how far up the dipstick (on level ground) are you filling it ?

IT should be no more than halfway between min and max.

There was a 1995 Merc bulletin to this effect, which stated a reduced oil fill was now in order to prevent the weeps from too much pressure.