I was able to get away just doing my upper timing cover seal and valve cover seal. I also did the camshaft seal while I was at it.

It wasn't too hard a job..... Took me about 2 hours.... Once I had all the parts. Use the MB brand sealant goo, it's $25 but worth every penny.

I thought I had the typical M103 leaky head gasket, but it turned out that the oil from the timing seal and valve cover was migrating everywhere and in fact my head gasket was OK.

I'd start by doing those because you can knock it out yourself and it doesn't cost very much. You'll have to redo the upper timing seal again if you pull the head, but that's not so much wasted effort that it isn't worth trying first. I cut down my oil loss considerably, but I think I am still losing some to my valve stem seals.

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-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition