Engine Hoist - where to attach?
 

The attached picture shows the engine hoist should attach just above the thermostat.

Granted, there is a hole, where a chain can attach - but that seems like the center of much aluminum, and I don't want to strip the bolts.

I'm planning on replacing the oil pan gaskets and while under there, replace the Engine Mounts.

Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

Car: 1995 E420
:rolleyes:

Lifting Tools
 

The hole in the perpendicular ear at the top of your head is the front lifting eye.
You've also got a "Bolted On" lifting eye on the rear of your engine.

You'll need at least 3 SS shackles for the "Leveler".

Oil pan gaskets - plural? I think it's safer to jack the oil pan to do the mounts, and no need to raise the engine to do the lower pan gasket.

Yeh just jack the car up from under the sump with a towel so not to damage it.

Jacking is a better idea, But????
 

If the engine is lifted with a jack under the sump, how do you hold the engine up while removing the oil pans?

I want to use the jack. I have only found threads discussing replacement of the engine mounts; not oil pan gaskets.

such as;
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=31874&highlight=Howto%3A+Change+engine+mounts

Thanks for the help

For removing the upper pan you do need to hoist the engine from above. The picture for that shows 3 hoist points - one in the front and two in the rear. But why are you doing the upper pan gasket? It's a huge, almost unheard of job.

Cause it's there
 

The oil is spilled all over the oil pans - granted, I don't know where the oil leak is, so I was going to replace both oil pan gaskets.

I've read that a Mercedes gasket is highly recommended. One thread discussed the need to have the gasket with some metal in the corners, which an after market gaskets may not contain. Seems there was a technical bulletin or something, describing the repair of an oil leak with the oil pan gaskets. So I thought of changing both.

I'm hoping the oil leak is not the rear engine seal.

Please confirm:
To replace both oil gagslkets, I do need to use an engine hoist, connecting in both the front and rear of the car.

FYI - I saw one thing for finding oil leaks - clean the area, and spray talcum powder on the oil man, and wait for leak to appear.

It would not be prudent to do the upper pan gasket without knowing that it's leaking, and it's very unlikely that it is leaking. Actually it isn't wise to do anything without finding the leak first.

I changed the two front motor mounts on my 93 400E using a hoist from Harbor Freight. I linked the chain to the front lifting eye near the thermostat and had no problem at all.

I also pulled the lower oil pan off to change what I thought was a leaking O-ring on the oil quantity transmitter. I was able to get the pan off without moving the engine at all. As it turned out, the oil quantity transmitter was not leaking--it was the front cam seals and the covers on the front of the heads where metal meets metal.

I agree with Deanyel: I would look for leaks elsewhere before going up that far.