After driving my 2000 SL600, which was in storage for 8 months, there is a bad oil leak dripping from rear of engine, where engine and tranny attach. There is a small black plastic cover on the oil pan, it is soaked w/oil. The oil is dripping at idle and when i drive it for about 15 miles, there is oil spead under the whole car, smoke burning off the exhaust. It did this the first time I drove it and haven't drove it since. I don't want it to catch on fire.

Is the rear main seal bad or is there a hose or something behind the intake which could be busted?? The car has only 41,000 miles.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Al