I have a dribble of an oil leak that drops off the bottom near to the engine/transmission join. I clean it up the best I can in an attempt to track it down to the source and the best I can tell is that it's coming from somewhere under the exhaust manifold up near to the head - block join. The block seems dirtier and oily at the back in the region next to and above the starter motor.

The area is all very cramped as this is a RHD albeit non-turbo car.

Anyway, my quess is a small headgasket leak but I was wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar and most improtantly know how to fix it.
Steve

Before suspecting the head gasket, I would consider the valve cover gasket. Tackle that first; MUCH easier fix!

Another candidate might be the oil filter housing gasket, although it's situated on the other side of the engine. Leaking oil will seek the lowest point on the underside, so leak origins can be a bit tricky to track down. An effective method for locating leaks is to pressure wash the undercarriage and then monitor for seepage.

By the way, is this a Euro spec 300D? I was under the impression that all post-1981 300Ds were turbocharged.

__________________
Matt
------
1995 E300 Diesel (Die Blau Frau)

Rocker gasket was new a few weeks ago. I only just re-tightened it down - careful not to overtighten it but was surprised how loose it was and hoped that was the cause of the leak.

I know that VW diesels (1600cc) have a weak spot in the head gasket and oil leaks are not uncommon. I wondered if the 300D engine had similar 'character' - searching the archives I don't find any mention of head gasket oil leaks.


As far as I know the UK, and even europe, never got any turbo 300D in W123 chassis - maybe Germany. I think another case of you yanks getting all the goodies presumambly 'cos you demand better value for money compared to, say, UK where 'RIP-OFF' prices are the norm - I think you call it 'gouging'


Steve

Never seen the headgasket leak oil. However I did have a similar problem this year and I traced the leak to the timing chain tensioner. It mounts on the front right side of the engine block. On my 78 the oil began leaking and was running along the exhaust manifold and then dripping down. Maybe yours is doing the same?
Just replaced the gasket for the tensioner and the problem went away.

interesting you should mention the tensioner assembly - I noticed that it does look a bit wet in that area but couldnot see how/why oil would travel all the way back, horizontal,rather than verticle. However that whole area just below the exhaust manifold does look a bit we but I just assumed it was from years of crud & leaking rocker gasket and the fact that i could not get the spray engine clearer & brush up into that area.

How easy is it to change the tensioner gasket? Is there danger of loosing cam timing or tension or is it a simple case of unbolt, replace gasket & re-install?
Steve

sdelasal

to replace the tensioner you must remove the T- stat housing which is a great time to replace that short bit of hose between the T stat housing and water pump housing. you wont have any problem about timing. You must prime the new tensioner with oil before you install it.

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

You are really floundering and swimming upstream if you can not clean the engine. Find some way to clean it, run it a little and keep looking.. you don't want to be fixing stuff just for the practice do you ?