All,

In poking around my engine compartment on my 1987 300D, I've located the source of an oil drip as the junction between the intake manifold and the cylinder head, at the second cylinder back from the radiator (don't know if this is #2 or #5).

This seems a little strange to me, that oil would even be at this location in the engine to leak in the first place, but the oil is most certainly dripping over the block starting at this location.

Any explanations for whether there could in fact be an oil leak at this location, and also, whether there could be a fix (gasket replacement, etc) within the capabilities of a shadetree mechanic?

Thanks a lot,

Matt

Usually it's oil from the junction of the crossover pipe and the intake manifold. Pretty easy to replace the gasket. More involved to stop the flow of oil. Turbo seals? Blow-by?

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

You'll want to take a close look at the intake manifold gasket itself. If that turns out to be the issue, it's an easy project, but lots of pieces to take off... Be sure to get new plactic clips for all the injector lines (I think there are 3/4 different types depending on how many lines and how they're holding down), they're certain to break. Also, If you don't know when the glow plugs were replaced, now will be the perfect time.

FWIW, when I got my sedan at 116K I had what I thought was a problem with the IP, knowing it's interally lubed with engine oil, because there was fresh oil in that area. For me, did in fact turn out to be the intake gasket.

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1987 300DT 127K
1987 300TDT 283K (Sold)
1999 528iTa 75K
1991 300D 2.5T 214K - Dead Tranny
1984 300DT 375K (Sold)

Thanks a lot for the help! I'll go ahead and get some parts and then get in there when I have some time.

--Matt

FYI, I have found that the intake manifold gasket from MB is a bit different than some of the aftermarket ones available-- I would recommend getting the replacement from MB.

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1987 300TD 231,000
#22, afterglow, plastic fan, euro lights, alternator upgrade, cluster housing update

Conisder how much time you're allowing for this project. It's very likely you'll find a thick layer of crud in the crossover pipe and intake manifold. It will take a lot of scrubbing to clean the pipes. You might want to take it to a machine shop to have them deal with it. It's up to you how to handle the head. You don't want crud falling into the combustion chamber through an open valve. Potentially that's one of the causes of 603.97 bent rods.

I haven't read of anyone noticing performance improvement from cleaning the manifold so if you can turn a blind eye to the build-up, go right ahead.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0