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Here is my experiance with a 117 engine on a 560SL 107,000 miles.
I first thought this was a rear main seal leak and actually pulled the transmission and flex plate to inspect it. I found out from this NG that the 117 engine does have a tendancy to leak oil and it goes into the valley between the heads and through a drain hole where it come out the bottom of the bell housing. All the inspections of head that I could do with the engine assembled could not confirm that I definately had a head gasket leak. I bit the bullet and pulled the left head. It was only then that I could tell that the head gasket was really the problem, see attached photo. Since it was only the left head leaking, I only pulled the left head. But I found the head bolts to be so loose that I retorqued the right head as well. During the retorque I got between 1/8 and 1/4 turn extra out of each bolt. Therefore despite what MB says about this head not having to be retorqued, I will once again retorque my left head at about 10,000 miles. I think that anyone with a 117 engine should consider retorquing the heads if they have over 50,000 miles. This would most likely prevent the oil leaks.
John Roncallo
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