Does anyone have the procedure for replacing the cam & dist. seals on a 91 mercedes benz 190e? It has the M103 2.6 motor in it. Is there a repair manual cd that was available for this model?

Do you have a cam seal leak, or just a leak in the front part of the head? Usually the factory leak causes most people to think that the cam seal is leaking. The factory leak is near the dist. cap, passenger side front. I seal mine up with Goop Automotive glue (Wal-Mart, in a red tube) after cleaning with starting fluid. Not everyone uses this glue but I have found it to be very durable and flexible under heat, and mine does not leak anymore.

But if you think that the cam seal is leaking, here is how you can change it out:

Once you remove the distributor cap and wires, you will be able to remove the rotor button. Behind the rotor button is what's called the "drive dog" which is bolted to the end of the camshaft...usually a torx head bolt (forget what size at the moment but it's small)...be careful not to strip out the bolt while trying to remove it.

After you remove the drive dog you will have full access to the cam seal, which you can remove with a small cold chisel or screw driver. I always lubricate all of my seals before installation. Hope this helps you.

__________________
'87 300E | 2.6 engine
Artic White - Navy blue interior, chrome rims, very clean and sharp!
91 300E
89 300E


The rest of my collection are just cars and trucks...no more "automobiles"...

I just purchased this car about 2 weeks ago. I noticed it leaking some oil on the pavement. Today I took off the belly pan. I noticed oil drops on the oil cooler line going to the transmission & on the bottom of the alternator. It is shinny like on the front of the engine passenger side & below on the block area. I don't really see the oil like drippy there so to speak. How can I tell what is leaking?? Is it the head leaking on the bottom between it and the block or is it the cover that is in front of it where the cam seal area is?

Is there any way you can describe a little bit on where to look for this factory leak?? I am not to competent on this car yet & the terminology.

Certainly. Passenger side, front of head, right below the edge of the head you will be able to put a spot light at night and probably see oil residue, or during the day for that matter on most.

This is considered the "known factory leak" and is annoying. Cleaning your engine with purple power or other degreaser will help locate the leak. I don't know how many miles you have on the engine but chances are that it's leaking from the factory leak. Spray starter fluid in the area to clean and dry the area, run your engine and you will probably find it. I have stopped the leak in many mercedes with the method I described in my earlier post.

Hope you locate the leak soon.

__________________
'87 300E | 2.6 engine
Artic White - Navy blue interior, chrome rims, very clean and sharp!
91 300E
89 300E


The rest of my collection are just cars and trucks...no more "automobiles"...

If your concern is about oil that leaks and finds its way to a few drops on the floor under the front of the motor, then I probably wouldn't expect it to be the cam seal, at least it wouldn't be my first suspect on this model.
It's more likely one of the more notorious leaks such as at the passenger side of the upper timing cover where it converges with the lower cover and the head. This is a common leak and much has been written about it and how to proceed to fix it here in this forum, forum archives and DIY section (and probably a hundred other places on the net). Do a tech forum search with the key words "timing cover and leak", and also look over the topics in the DIY articles under the "resources" link above.
The parts/materials are inexpensive and it's not too bad of a job to fix if you have decent mechanical skills but some people just live with this leak if it isn't too bad. If it is pretty bad it may be more than just the timing cover and could be a leak at the front of the head almost right at the same area. Also, if you do decide to fix it, replacing the cam seal is pretty easy while you have it apart.
BTW, regarding the cam seal replacement, I've read a warning against using heavy grease or brake lube to lubricate the cam seal when replacing it, and it advised to only use a light coating of engine oil. Apparently, heavy freestanding greases or lubes linger and disrupt the proper flow/travel of oil along and past the seal possibly causing a lack of proper oil distribution upstream of the seal.
Depending how much grease one might slather on the seal, I don't know how much of a liability this actually might be, but I'm just relating what I have read. I came across this info after I had already used brake lube on my seal (not much, just enough to lubricate it), and I've had no apparent problems.