m103 timing cover reseal
 

When resealing the timing cover, top and bottom portions, what bolts do you have to add sealer to the threads of? Or is it all of them?

After I rebuilt the head, I replaced the plastic timing rails... resealed the covers and it started leaking 1000 miles later.

I have it all apart, so that is not an issue... just what should I focus on?


Kyle

Where is it leaking? Not likely to be bolt thread related. Did you put sealant on the ends of the upper cover gasket?

The complete procedure is fully explained here:

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/M103TimingCoverReseal

Thanks, I have read that.

I am quite sure the entire front cover is leaking. When I removed the fan bearing assembly there was oil in the spaces between.

ON the 103 it is almost always the upper timing cover only, that leaks. Since you read the procedure I won't repeat all the ins and outs of it, but I've never used any sealer on any of the bolts.

Larry, I agree it's probably not necessary to use sealant on the bolt threads of the upper cover. But an MB mechanic recommended to me years ago to seal the lower driver-side bolt because the threaded hole was open to the engine crankcase area. Assumably oil could migrate through the threads and down the bolt and out around the bolt head. Seems unlikely that it could happen, but then it takes just a second to dab sealant on the bolt threads,
so I always do it. The factory manual does not mention this, so it's probably overkill.

DG

Thats strange. Do you mean there was oil behind the bearing bracket? How does the distributor cap look inside? Cam seal? Is the U gasket new and propperly seated?