I have a 1993 190E 2.6. About 9 months ago, my mechanic told me that the upper chain cover was leaking, the water pump needed replacing, etc., for which I paid $1,200. Now, at the 105k mile checkup, the mechanic tells me that the LOWER chain cover is leaking, too, and he wants to charge $700 to fix it. Is this unusual? Also, if he repaired the upper cover, then wouldn't he know the angle/condition of the upper chain? When I asked him what kind of shape it was in and he said that he didn't know. I'm suspicious and I told him not to do the repair . . . Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

The flat rate on resealing the front cover on your car is around 8 hrs & maybe $45. in parts.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I've just gone through the experience of removing botg the upper and lower covers myself. The labor involved in getting the lower off was much more than the top. The top was easy.

I find it much more likely that any oil leak would come from the bottom, not the top. I think there is much more oil flying around the lower, not the upper.

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)