My car just started leaking oil on the pavement... enough to leave an 8" circle overnight. I don't think it's from the last oil change. I filled 7 qts instead of the specified 7.5 qts so it won't leak past the main seal.

The forwardmost wet point is at the front of the engine. The topmost point is at the top of the oil pan, maybe higher... I can't tell.

Is there a certain seal that would be the likely cause of leaking, or do I have to start digging into this problem and search further by taking parts off?

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Common points are at the front of the engine where the timing chain cover meets the head. It's kind of "c" shaped.

The other common place is at the right rear corner (and I do mean corner) of the head (passenger side).

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Sounds like head gasket leak. If it is head gasket, you can detect oil on your finger by running finger just under protruding gasket along top of block from front right corner(passengersside) back about one to two inches and same at rear right conrer forward. I just had mine changed on M104 engine in 96 C280 (44K miles). Do a search on 'head gaskets'.

Hilton Smith