My 1989 300E was leaking oil from the back part of the valve cover. I started to tighten the vale cover bolts and of course I get to the last one and it snaps! The problem is it's the on the exhaust side and next to the fire wall and tranny dipstick! I've tried easy outs but it's very hard to get at. Do they make longer easy outs for this purpose? If not, any suggestions? Any help would be appreciated.

A couple of items come to mind that don't require special tools. The upper center portion of the outer firewall can be disassembled and moved out of the way. If this fails to offer sufficient clearance, remove the right motor mount retaining bolt (17 mm ?) and jack up the engine on the right side. The combination of these two procedures should allow adequate access to the bolt.

If not, consider removing the right motor mount and lowering the engine till the mount arm approaches the cross member. This will tilt and lower the engine to the right and may offer an alternate approach to the broken bolt.

You should be able to move the transmission oil dipstick tube out of the way after removing the tube's retaining bolt.

[Edited by jgl1 on 01-10-2001 at 12:14 PM]

Thank you, I'll give it the old college try! Josie's Dad