I helping my brother in law restore his 1991 MB CE300. Was smoking badly and misfiring. Changing the spark plugs, ignition wires and valve cover gaskets seem to have corrected those problems. Engine is no longer smoking under the hood, but there is still a little oil leak somewhere. I am really hoping that this isn't a leaking head gasket, but the leak is coming from the front of the engine. Will run a head gasket leak test next weekend. Is there a camshaft gasket or oil pump gasket up at the front of the engine that could be the problem? I've also heard about leaks coming from a "camshaft advance magnet". I don't have a clue, but know I don't have the skills to replace a head gasket in this thing. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have on this.

If it is from the top front of the engine then it is likely the timing cover gasket that needs replacing and resealing.

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1989 300CE

Bassmaster, I agree. It's likely the oil leak is coming from the joint between the timing chain upper and lower covers. There is a U-shaped gasket between the two covers that goes in dry with a dab of MB black sealant at each end. The key to a successful replacement of this gasket is getting the recess perfectly clean and adding a small dab of sealant at each end.

Step-by-step instructions for this repair are available in the "DIY Links by Parts Category" under "Engine Mechanical". Scroll down until you find "Timing Chain Cover Seal Replacement".

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Fred Hoelzle

What a great step by step write up with pictures! THANKS!

Just make sure you pop out the shaft seal and get a new one. Put on timing cover first to get it nice and sealed to the bottom u shaped gasket, then bolt in on in criss/cross pattern, and then tap the seal back in and on to the shaft. I tried it three times the other way and it kept leaking (shaft seal would roll and bind. 4th time, did it that way and worked like a charm! Hope that makes sense.

Thanks for that tip SPTT. I know this is a stupid question but are you talking about a camshaft seal or crankshaft seal? Thanks!

Neither. It's called the timing cover seal. Use some ultra black RTV, along with making sure that the seal doesn't get pinched.

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

We are talking 2 different seals. The "U" shaped green colored gasket for the timing cover and a round gasket for camshaft.

On the upper timing cover. I suggest using sealant(Loctite 5900) only at the lower corners where the cover meets the block. This what MB recommends, and this is how I did it with good results. Change the cam seal also while there there. Easy and inexpensive. I also had a leak coming from the dip stick seal. Check the oil pressure sending unit also. They sometimes leak.

This is a great forum with some great participants. Thanks for your time in helping me with this problem. These MB's sure leak a lot of oil!

MB automobiles that are well-maintained do not leak oil. It depends on how diligent the owner is about maintenance, and tending to little issues immediately.

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Fred Hoelzle