To whom it may concern, I realized I am an over wound clock ready to bust its spring. I am sorry for being dramatic. Guess I need to take more time and relax...

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

It is almost universal that if we get emotional when working on something logic just flies out the window. Many times I have started to struggle with something and found if I walked away from it for a time. When I went back it was easy. Or if not particularily easy, easier solvable. I call it just the human condition. Most of us have it.

I guess it is just a self training over time to see the frustration when it is coming on. Stopping it earlier in each episode is better than later. After solving a really random intermittent condition is a great self teacher. Some people throw tools and even beat their cars in frustration.

Sorry to hear. Is it the car, life in general, or both?

If you want to vent on here, go ahead. If you have Dragon, maybe you can unload verbally .

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

How well does dragon work?

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Barry, thank you so very much for the reply! I didn't expect it, just wanted to get an apology out and get the burned off me.

I agree that when frustrated need to take a break, but sometimes we are so stressed and anxious a food/water break isn't going to do it! I am learning to be more self disciplined and also to be aware of my body, so I take breaks when needed. It doesn't help that I have an over stimulation condition, but that is what Ember is for. She is a major reason why I am learning and way more able to cope. Sometimes she doesn't want to deal with me, so doesn't help and sometimes goes to her boyfriend's. She was laying on my feet while I put the valve cover on! Those covers are not easy, so very helpful to feel her calming me. She got a piece of chicken jerky for that! She is laying her by me hoping I will go down to the park...

Both my Dad and me were tool throwers. He lost a valuable tool that way as the bit came out of the handle. I have dented a air cleaner because I got frustrated and punched it. There are a couple holes in the garage drywall where I stuck a screw driver in. Figured walls are patchable but autos are not. Really though, I hate meltdowns, but as I have said, the only way they can be stopped is by Ember or running there course. Actually, the first step is realizing they are about to happen and taking prevention. Man you are helpful!

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

This is going to get personal...

I have Autism Spectrum Disorder. I really need routine and normalcy. Classes were getting set and was enjoying them. Then the administration said I needed to take less per a semester and were going to drop me from structures. Without thinking, I agreed. That afternoon recalled my decision and thought all was fine. I spent several days working with a classmate to do a huge group project and a lot of homework. Then Friday morning I see they have dropped my class. I couldn't really handle it because it was against the routine/comfort and unjust (which I loath and thought my job to make the world just, which used to be an issue as got me in a lot of trouble, including a concussion). Anyway, I am headed to class and get the call from a jerk saying I can't park in the parking structure because I am leaking too much oil and made a bunch of threats if I did, including fines, court, and destruction of the Mercedes! So, Friday morning wasn't so good. Then Saturday needed to relax to took off the morning. Then tried to repair the electrical, and we know how that went... Then I thought a Mercedes valve adjustment be similar to a Volkswagen and decided to do it before Church, leaving a hour to do it. To make me even more late, Ember went off to her boyfriend's and when I went to get her her boyfriend was being a pill and making me even more late! Normally I am to Church an hour early and this time I was on time. Can we say major routine changes?

I am going to broil another steak and heat up some sweet taders for a good satisfying diner. While the stake is cooking on a side will go quickly now to the park. Then of to Church again. So much for the Sabbath...

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

I wonder if anyone reading that doesn't realize you're talking about your dog.

You're not alone in getting wound up about a car problem. There was a guy on the gasser forum threatening to junk his late model because it had a high idle.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Two questions.

Does you car leak and leave a spot?

If so, why is the guy a "jerk" for saying you can't park in the lot? ( and leave a mess. )


As for tool throwing / smashing stuff. Doing that is admitting to poor understanding of the project at hand, the unwillingness to apply logic and the willingness to blame others for their problems.

Applying logic to problems does wonders.

A spot or a puddle? A spot is nothing. I would draw the line at puddles.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Good point!

I know, but still feel guilty...

It leaves a one cup puddle a day... It has been doing this many months, but didn't think it was an issue as parked in the same spot most of the time. There wasn't any rule against it, as far as I knew.

He is/was a jerk for causing such anxiety due to extreme and empty threats. I have the social brain of a young child (including innocence). So as a child, would you like someone to say that they were going to question you, smash something you value, and then take all the rest away?

That may be true for those and when I can help it. But many times my brain electrics have multiple shorts and cause strange behavior. Do you understand that analogy?

A.S.D. makes me too logical... Except when my brain is over stimulated.

I think I know now the answer, but why is a puddle an issue?

The fellow gave me the option to park in a designated spot where it was going to be demolished, so doesn't matter. My plan has been that the valve cover gasket might be their answer. So I have done it and plan on parking in the new space and see if I leave anything. If I do, then will get a drip pan and leave it there and leak on it. I hope not, because leaking oil isn't good for the planet and its inhabitants, not to mention cost.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

If you mean the leak is approximately a cup as in a measuring cup amount getting onto the ground per day, that is excessive and as much as it may seem like the straw that is going to break the camel's back in terms of your personal situation, the fact is that whomever called you out on it has a point.

He may be doing you a favour, in the longer term, as a cup a day in those circumstances means you are losing a significant amount of oil and you need to get on top of it, so you at very least know the source.

The easiest way to begin is to clean off the motor using a pressure washer and degreaser, then drive it long enough to generate the leak, and locate it.

If it is the valve cover gasket, there is no excuse not to rectify it ASAP. If it something else, you need to know before it goes critical and one day it turns into the Exxon Valdeez.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Thank you so very much for the reply!

The leak really got bad before Christmas Break and have gone through at least two gallons. I thought it was most likely the rear main seal as leaks a few drops, until a couple weeks ago, so figured nothing I could do. The mechanic just said keep the oil topped up and nothing about it being an issue.

So he has a right to threaten my property?! Wow! Good to know, as will be more careful what I keep in the Mercedes, so when it gets towed I will have less items at risk. I didn't realize the authorities could do that. I thought the Fifth Amendment gave us protection and compensation.

I found a lot of oil on top and behind the engine and the gasket was wet. But, last weekend had a prior commitment. I canceled some things to get on it.

I was taught in auto shop to be real careful about pressure washers and with the cost of going to a car wash, don't. Just spray on degreaser on and let it soak. Been since the Summer, so at least needs the engine again.

So replacing the gasket on clean and free of old sealant, and new sealant, will not stop the leak? I was concerned about putting sealant on the head side for fear it glue the valve cover to the engine, right?

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

Two gallons since Christmas is a lot.

Spot vs puddle is more of a social convention. Most people are cool with a spot here and there. Only a few who are highly concerned with unimportant things get bent out of shape about an oil spot. Exception: If it's their own private driveway. I've noticed quite a few people are particular when it comes to those. But in a parking structure? WTF?

Puddles tend to bother folks. They also present a slip hazard, will track oil everywhere if you step in the puddle, and attract dirt and leaves making quite a mess if not cleaned up.

I change valve cover gaskets at every valve adjustment. I don't put anything on them, and they don't leak unless I torque the nuts unevenly.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

I don't think that is what I wrote at all, Adriel. My point simply was that, if this guy's threat focuses your attention on the oil loss issue, and you solve it before it becomes a problem that could cause a catastrophic engine failure due to oil loss, then the person has (indirectly) done you a favour.

Two gallons of oil in about six weeks is a very serious oil leak.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

... it's not that authorities have the right to destroy your stuff, it's that THEIR property is being damaged by your leak, and likely you have signed a lease of sorts that outlines their tow away abilities...
if it's a leak that could break down their parking lot, they have to pay to fix that... if someone slips in your oil, they could be sued... if the spot gets rained on, the runoff could contaminate their area, and they could be fined by the city...

or the guy could be a jerk that is pissed you have a benz and he doesn't...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!