an oily present for getting my licence - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 01-15-2003, 04:56 PM

Ah great. Yet another gripe to deal with, eh? I get my licensce, yay, go to IHOP with friends. Pull into garage at home, park, go to school. Come home, oil drops all over the floor. Looks to be coming from the bell housing where the standard transmission links up with the engine. An oil change is coming up...(actualy...200 miles ago)...could oil become thin and get through the seal? Never leaked a drop of oil before the mechanic adjusted the valves, although oil from the bell housing would not leak because he adjusted the valves. Things have just been different since valve adjustments, lots of dumb stuff. Changing oil soon, hope the valve adjustment did't reveal horrible compression (although I'd think you'd notice on a 240D) If it is in fact coming from this bell housing, is there a remedy?

lrg · #2 01-15-2003, 05:29 PM

Check the valve cover gasket. It is very possible that your mechanic overtightened the valve cover and cut the gasket at the rear of the cover. Oil running down the back of a hot engine would likely pool around the bellhousing and not be too apparant on the engine itself. If he cut the gasket tell him to replace it and tighten it ONLY to spec. If he's used to American cars he's never had to deal with this before. If he is aware of the proper tightening proceedure then he may not have replaced the gasket. They frequently can be reused but when they get old they get hard and don't reseal properly.

oilslick · #3 01-15-2003, 05:45 PM

What IS the proper tightening procedure? I know the torque specs but is there a particular pattern?

Oilslick

lrg · #4 01-15-2003, 05:50 PM

I just do it crisscross, a little at a time. It also helps with a new gasket to lightly bang the cover down with your fist before tightening to make sure the gasket is seated properly.

84300DT · #5 01-15-2003, 06:13 PM

congrats on getting your license !! i agree check the valve cover gasket - it is very possible for a 'new' one installed agressively to leak. been there.

bob