I had intentions of selling this car since I have purchased a new vehicle but I just can't part with the ol' gal. While I was cleaning her up and checking her out before I committed to selling her I noticed an oil leak that causes me some concern.

I have owned this '87 SDL for nearly three years and have had nothing but great service from her. Never been overheated while I have owned her. No coolant loss while I have owned her. No oil consumption while I have owned her. At 233,000 miles and the original #14 head she seems to have more life left in her BUT...

I noticed oil at the front of the head just behind the belt tensioner shock. The head gasket seems to be protruding about 1/8th an inch and you can see a split in it. It is not pouring oil or "spitting" it out but it is obvious that it is leaking. More of a "seep" than anything. The car runs great! There are no other indicators that there is a more serious problem but I know that there shouldn't be a leak there. There is no visible coolant/oil mixture. As I stated earlier I have never had to add coolant to the system. Car runs normal temp with an occasional peak at 105c in stop and go traffic in town during the hottest days of summer with the A/C on full blast.

Just curious,

Kevin

Well, have you found oil in your coolant?
If you don't then don't worry. If or when you do, then you need a new head gasket.

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
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1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

as I stated earlier... there is no coolant/oil mix in the resevoir or crankcase (to the naked eye). No analysis has been done but if either were mixing with the other surely I would be losing either in quantity...wouldn't I?

that area does not contain any real pressure from fluids, only crankcase pressure.

Personally, I would only consider it a sign of things to come, not a current failure. Definitely plan on the related job soon

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There is a high pressure oil passage in this area. Head and gasket specs were changed because of failures. Other threads have more information.

Courtesy of GSXR

I believe he is referring to belt / fan side of the timing cavity.

The oil gallery is on the block side of the cavity.

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just behind the belt tensioner shock. I have used one of the pics in the previous post and marked where the split and oil seepage are coming from.

Attached Thumbnails

 

if I see the pic correctly, its just an oil leak problem. Like one person suggested, make plans for later w/o urgency right now....

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Clean the area and silicone it for now.

Why did this blow?

Make sure your PCV is venting OK.

Do a blow-by test using the oil filler cap tottering method.

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Cheers!
Scott McPhee

1987 300D

Exact same place my SDL started leaking from - very interesting to find two doing the same thing.

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1986 300SDL 201K Daily Driver
1984 300D In Progress
1989 240GL 196K Swedish Brick
1984 300SD -- Sold 289K
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