M104 Head Gasket?
 

Looking to buy a 95 E320 wagon. The owner tells me "It runs well but is leaking oil from the head gasket. Not a lot but it leaks onto the fan belt." and sent the following photo:

http://s12.postimg.org/q4dx7njix/130819_0001.jpg

Car has 249K and the current owner put 1/2 of those on in the odometer during the 7 years he has owned it. Based on google searches this appears to be a common problem with the M104 engine. I'm 263 miles away from the car and trying to understand what I'm getting into before its too late.

PS: Replacement of the wiring harness hasn't been done during this ownership and he has no records from before. So I'll assume the worst and if purchased plan on doing it as part of the head gasket replacement.

Head gasket DIY is listed in the DIY section. Based on the cloth wrapped wires in that photo, you have a good harness. I still haven't done my head gasket, but its coming :). Did the evaporator last year, I'd rather do the head gasket.

By the way, I had to replace the starter harness myself, itisn't a part of the engine harness.

The 1995 e320 is a phenomenal vehicle.

I've build lots of various motors on a professional basis so changing a head gasket isn't a big deal for me however, I'd be real tempted to clean the leaking corner very well then use gray Euro silicone to form a patch. Gray silicone is stiffer than blue / black. The key is having the surface completely clean and work the silicone towards the joint from both sides.

Yes, I know it isn't the proper way, but other than time and some chemicals it isn't a great loss if it leaks later and the leak is non fatal to engine operation. This patch gives you time to drive the car for a while and asses it's other needs.

97 SL320 thanks for the tip! The head job doesn't scare me (done them on many cars) but it possible gives me an option to shipping the car. Driving it the 263 miles home would, as you said, give me a chance to asses it's other needs.

Found the DIY link for the head gasket here and I also found this link that for a (soon) new M104 owner was very informative.

While searching the DIY's found a thread for the wiring harness issues here.

PS: You don't have any bias towards the 95 e320 do you :)

Of course not, how dare you insinuate any bias at all towards the last vehicle Mercedes made before the accountants took over :).

I love my e320. It's been really good to me. It's got it's quirks, mainly electrical. But its a better driver by far than my late model Honda and Suburban.

I want a 95 e300d.

I would really if I had time eliminate the gasket problem M104s have by having a gasket made. Search Gasket Works L.L.C. ask for a layered gasket.