W124 oil leak

[Tomkinsm]

Hi,

My 300CE-24 is leaking some oil which has created quite a mess under the car, which is ok for corrosion protection, but is something I want to get sorted.

The oil looks like its coming from the front of the engine (M104), somewhere below the camcover. Initial inspection has shown that it might be coming from the solenoid housing, but it could be the timing cover or the head gasket. (I've read lots of scary stories here about headgaskets going on this engine).

Has anyone else experienced the solenoid housing leaking? If so, which sealant should be used to reseal it?

Should I contemplate doing the head gasket myself? I don't really fancy spending the estimated £1000 on getting this done as I'm already saving up for a gearbox overhaul!

Any advice on this would be appreciated.

PS, no oil in water and no water in oil. Car runs like a dream (touch wood).

 

[johnnycapone]

PS, no oil in water and no water in oil. Car runs like a dream (touch wood).
This probably means not the head gasket.
hope this helps
regards
John

 

[shirubaby]

It could be the upper timing chain cover? Is this what everyone calls a "solenoid housing"

Head Gasket replacement isn't that hard (after having done it myself). Need to get a special star bit for the stretch bolts (Halfords sells a LASER socket set which will have the star bits).

Haynes manual is good for this sort of thing. BUT you will need a second bloke to help you lift the head off, as it will be stuck together.

Once it's off might be an idea to replace the valve stem seals (if you buy a head gasket kit it will contain them) - but you will want to borrow a valve spring compressor.

You will want to clean the head mating surfaces and around the valves as well. Take care not to scratch the mating surfaces badly.

All in all not an expensive job. but time consuming depending on how merticulous you are. The good thing is. Once the head is off you can work on it in a warm shed or garage or dining table. ; )

 

[television]

The biggest source of leaks is where the timming cover meets the cylinder head. Always best to clean it down with a de greaser as the fan blows the oil around, then watch it after a warm run, its made harder by the fact that it does not leak at idle, it is spray from the timming chain. The timming cover can be taken off and new gaskits fitted, but not a guaranteed cure.

Malcolm

 

[shirubaby]

use "hylomar blue" sealant when refitting the timing chain cover.

 

[big x]

All 104's leak at some time or other from the upper timing case cover. It's a poor piece of design (one of the worst automotive design practices I've ever seen,a shame because in other respects the 104 is bullit proof) that uses a u shaped gasket and sealent to stop leaks.Over time shrinkage,hardening etc means oil leaks at the 3 surface meeting point :-(
To repace requires a fair amount of time to dismantle.
Even then an old original head gasket might well be leaking at the front and back too.The good news is on the 104 two experienced MB techs have told me they have never seen oil leaks directly into the coolent as the 103 head gasket does but normally to atmosphere.

adam

 

[Apial]

M104 head gasket

My 300CE-24 head gasket started leaking at thr front, then the back, of the exhaust side at 54,000 miles. As a result of the leak, my garage floor started to form a pool of oil under the engine, and there was a strong smell of hot oil on pulling into the garage.

There was no oil/water contamination, and oil consumption was not excessive. The head gasket was changed and the leak was cured. Horseshoe gasket changes are sometimes mentioned as a preliminary fix over the phone, but they usually end up being head gasket problems.

Head skimming is done as a matter of bolts and braces approach, but usually they are not needed. Most garages though are unwilling to chance it, and skim anyway.

The new head gasket has a reinforced section where the head oil way was close to the edge on the leak areas. The second head gasket I am told will well outlast the life of the first design.

Hopefully you have a leak that does not require the head gasket to be changed, but I think that eventually all these M104 engines will have to have them replaced.

 

[big x]

My 300CE-24 head gasket started leaking at thr front, then the back, of the exhaust side at 54,000 miles. As a result of the leak, my garage floor started to form a pool of oil under the engine, and there was a strong smell of hot oil on pulling into the garage.

There was no oil/water contamination, and oil consumption was not excessive. The head gasket was changed and the leak was cured. Horseshoe gasket changes are sometimes mentioned as a preliminary fix over the phone, but they usually end up being head gasket problems.

Head skimming is done as a matter of bolts and braces approach, but usually they are not needed. Most garages though are unwilling to chance it, and skim anyway.

The new head gasket has a reinforced section where the head oil way was close to the edge on the leak areas. The second head gasket I am told will well outlast the life of the first design.

Hopefully you have a leak that does not require the head gasket to be changed, but I think that eventually all these M104 engines will have to have them replaced.

I'm wondering if just changing the stretch type cylinder head bolts and a re-torque would stop the rear right type leaks on the M104 and the front right typically found on the M111 IL4 ? ? I assume the bolts are updated too.
I was told MB changed hundreds of M104 head gaskets to the updated design under warranty however it's clear many cars have done large mileages on the original head gaskets....they do not fail as such but continue to weep.

 

[Tomkinsm]

Hi,

Thanks for everyones help. This gives me a number of options to follow.

I had another look at the solenoid today, and found some 'clean' oil around the plastic plug, where the plastic joins the metal housing. The plastic feels slightly loose; could it be that oil is leaking from this metal-plastic joint? I'm not sure whats inside the solenoid or even what its job is! Is it a solenoid actuator or just a rotation sensor or something?

 

[shirubaby]

not familiar. how about a pic of the affected area?

 

[Tomkinsm]

Here is a picture of the solenoid. There are two camshafts, and the front of the car there is the distributor on one camshaft and this solenoid on the other. I'm calling it 'solenoid' because thats how its described in the haynes manual, but I don't actually know what it does. There is always some oil on the connector and I'm wondering if the oil is leaking from the solenoid body.

 

[big x]

Here is a picture of the solenoid. There are two camshafts, and the front of the car there is the distributor on one camshaft and this solenoid on the other. I'm calling it 'solenoid' because thats how its described in the haynes manual, but I don't actually know what it does. There is always some oil on the connector and I'm wondering if the oil is leaking from the solenoid body.

It adjusts the intake valve timing.A magnet moves a shaft back and forward dependent on RPM.A very simple piece of kit miles behind what Honda and BMW use in terms of complexity.

adam

 

[Tomkinsm]

Thanks,

Can I take it off easily or will I mess up any timing/setting? I'd like to take it off, clean it up and re-seal it.

 

[big x]

Thanks,

Can I take it off easily or will I mess up any timing/setting? I'd like to take it off, clean it up and re-seal it.

This is covered in the Haynes manual.On my m104 there are no moving parts on the actual cover,it justs generates a magnetic field.I'm away from home at present so can't remember if the M103 is different.

adam

 

[big x]

Thanks,

Can I take it off easily or will I mess up any timing/setting? I'd like to take it off, clean it up and re-seal it.

On my m104 there are no moving parts on the actual cover,it justs generates a magnetic field.I'm away from home at present so can't remember if the M103 is different but it looks the same in your pic.

adam

 

[Tomkinsm]

I've been checking the leak regularly and it looks now as if its coming from the upper timing chain cover as some of you mentioned. I guess the leaking oil is then being blown about by the fan and air passing through the grill. What I don't know is whether its just the timing chain cover leaking or the head gasket. Does anyone know how long it would take to remove the timing chain cover and re-seal it? Or would I be better going all the way and change the head gasket too?