Help!! 380SE head leaking OIL?
 

I have just been told that my right head on my 126 chassis '85 380 SE is leaking oil.I just had a main seal replaced,after a small oil leak,It didn't leak at all for about 200 miles,then started "Gushing" a lot more than before the main seal was replaced.I took it to the local shop and they preformed a Dye test,indicating oil only seeping from the rear of the right head.
They said it needed a head gasket replaced on the right side ( they said I should do both,but the left head was rebuilt due to cam chain breakage 15k ago) the Quote from them was $1350 for the one head & $2150 to do both heads.This is just to install new head gaskets not rebuild them!
My first question is :

Is it possible for a head to leak that much oil without leaking water?
What is a good estimate to replace a head gasket on one side?
How difficult is this job?
I think I should do it myself and maybe rebuild the right head.
the car has 146k mi.
any help appreciated
thanks!!

'85 380 SE
'80 240 D
'82 300TD-girlfriends car

> Is it possible for a head to leak that much oil without leaking
> water?

Yes.

> How difficult is this job?

Time consuming, but not difficult. You need at least the special tool to remove the head bolts. You can borrow mine. A small slide hammer to remove the timing chain guide pins is probably better than the bolt and washers trick that led to the bolt breaking in the pin in my M117.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

leaking oil 126 V-8
 

Thanks!!
I also have noticed no bubbles in the coolant expansion tank,I though this was a symptom of a leaking head gasket?


barndoor
'85 380SE !
'49 VW Beetles

Another sign of trouble is oil in the expansion tank.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

head gasket 126
 

It doesn't seem to leaking into the expansion tank?
What other parts should I replace at the same time?
also,the left head was rebuilt due to cam chain breakage and valve breakage only on the left side.I believe that only the left side was worked on.Should I rebuild the RIGHT head at this time?
what do I need other than a head gasket seal KIT?

Thank you!!
Barndoor

'85 380SE
'80 240d 4 spd manual
'49 VW Beetle
'54 VW Microbus

'82 300TD-Girlfriends Transport

Definately have the chain replaced on the right side. It' easily done while the head is off.

I think their quote is a bit high. Tell them OK if they throw in a chain replacement as well, at the same price. (it's only about a $26 part to them) Well, maybe that is asking too much. Tell them you'll pay for the parts but not additional labor. The chain guides and rails should be replaced as well, as they get brittle and could cause a chain break. If you must, give them one hour labor to change the chain. It should take them 20 minutes.;)

Sixto,

Why do the guide pins have to come out. Can't they stay in?

I don't know how they could have installed a new chain without removing the front engine cover/s. Check you records for a list of parts replaced. You can replace the chain by removing only the right valve cover if the chain is intact. Once it breaks, there's no way to thread the new chain unless you're so lucky that the both ends are in the area of the cam sprocket. Even then, you probably have to take the front of the engine apart to make sure all the sprockets are aligned.

A head gasket set should have everything you need. On the earlier M116, the left and right head gaskets are different. They are probably different for your engine as well. Make sure the head gasket set includes a valve cover gasket.

Any other parts will depend on what you do with the head and what was done with the timing chain. If you have the done as you probably should, it will be ready to install. If you don't have the head done, at least replace the valve seals. Check the plastic fittings on the oil lines above the cam towers. Check the chain tensioner and guide rails. If they were replaced when the timing chain broke, they should be in good shape.

You'll have good access to the water pump and the various coolant hoses so consider their condition.

If your engine is anything like my older M117, keep track of the vacuum hose behind the throttle body. There's no way to reconnect it with the intake manifold in place.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

> Definately have the chain replaced on the right side.

Unless my medication is wearing off ;) the M116/7 has one looong chain for both cams. Barndoor's chain should only be 15K old. He can insist on a new chain at the cost of parts, but I don't see it as a huge benefit.

> Why do the guide pins have to come out. Can't they stay in?

On the M116/7 right side head, you have to remove the inner chain guide to remove the head. The hole in the head for the timing chain is too small to slip over both the tensioning guide and the inner guide.

Barndoor, does your handle represent the big engine bay hatch on early VW buses? Are you anywhere near the SF Bay Area so I can go admire up close your vintage VWs?

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Sorry, didn't know it was one LONG chain.:rolleyes: :o

Yes,busses with big back engine doors!
are you familiar with these sixto?
I'm in oregon.

'85 380SE

I'm an avid VW fan too...I'd LOVE to see your busses...too bad I'm so far away!:(

Oops! Sorry for changing the topic...;)

Intake manifold
 

I'm doing the right side head gasket now on my '85 380 SE.In one of my repair books,it says that in 3.8 and 5.0 litre engines, the intake manifold does not need to be removed .
Can anyone verify this?
thanks:

'85 380 SE
'80 240D
'61 220Sb newly aquired
'64 220S newly aquired::confused: