Hello all,

Monday morning at the company parking lot, I was happily getting out of the car just to find that there are fresh of oil drops tracing the car's path; then tons of moke (from burning engine oil) came from under the car Opened the hood, there are alot of smoke steaming out from the engine's rear end; and directly under that, the whole lower components - exhaust pipes, steering damper, cross bar...are all wet with oil's dripping out!!!!!

Could someone please chime in as what my situation is here ? Anything that I could do or check besides towing it to the shop ?

Thanks in advance!
Frank.

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'86 560SEL | Silver Ext. / Blue Int. | 201K miles (Apr. 05) | 204K miles (Feb. 06)

I am taking a guess here, but with all that oil everywhere, maybe the oil pan itself or the gasket has sprung a leak?

Hold on, I dont know anything about the 560, but I am also guessing the front camshaft seal????

Sorry dude.

may have been your head gasket if coolant is present too. les

Could it be from the oil filter?

Thanks for the quick responses...

It's definitely engine oil that's leaking out right at the firewall; so that'd rule out the filter. I'm at work so getting under the car is out of the question. No coolant exposed so I'm hoping that it's the oil pan or some hoses that sprung a leak.

I had used Mobil1 0w-40 Synthetic in the last six months & started seeing the gaskets on the exhast manifold (on both sides) are oily wet - thus switching back to Chevron Delo400 the weekend before; don't know if the problem is related or not. To make it more confusing, two week ago I did ran a curb but no sign of leaking then (lost control in a heavy rain - approx. 15MPH impact with the curb).

Frank.

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'86 560SEL | Silver Ext. / Blue Int. | 201K miles (Apr. 05) | 204K miles (Feb. 06)

The only problem that I know with Mobile 1 is that is has a tendency to literally shrink the gaskets it touches, that's why I went back to dino (every oil except synthetic) oil. My 1989 300E was not designed for synthetics.

So I don't use them, however, many people have had a lot of success with Mobile 1 oils, even with cars older than mine! NO FAIR!!!

Quick update:

From the trusted mechanic's tip, I went down & took a look at the valve cover gasket; it turns out there's a crack on the US driver's side one. Start the engine up & stick a finger there, oil's running down - bingo!!!

Anyway, I've already lost about a quart of oil so gonna have it tow to the shop.

Thanks all for your help!
Frank.

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'86 560SEL | Silver Ext. / Blue Int. | 201K miles (Apr. 05) | 204K miles (Feb. 06)

Nice Work!

It's funny that everytime there is something wrong with the car and not knowing exactly what it is, we always expect the worst then to find out it's really minor

At least this one has a happy ending.

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1991 420SEL Project Car (Completed and rides beautifully) http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=112321
2000 BMW 740IL
2000 Integra Type R - Track Car - SOLD
2005 S2000 - Track Car
06 C230 Sport
89 560SL

1975 and earlier MBs required vave adjust at every E service, so the VC gaskets were always changed. With the advent of hydraulic lifters in 1976, nobody ever pulls the valve covers anymore. I reccommend VC gasket replacement and inspection of the valve train every 30k. While the covers are off check condition of oiler tube holders and check cam timing. If timing is late by over 8 degrees, you are living on borrowed time with that engine. One day that engine will stop and you will be looking at a repair bill for more than the car is worth. Why did you run DELO in that car? DELO stands for Diesel Engine Lubricating Oil. I live about 80 miles North of you and I run plain old 20/50 dino year around. I don't even have a favorite brand as long as it is a name brand. Between my fleet and client's cars I have logged over a million trouble miles.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

Peter,

I figured this heavy duty diesel oil (which also approved for gasoline engines) would have much more cleaner agents than regular oil, which is good for my high mileage engine (something similar to Mobil Drive Clean Plus oil). Plus, I could find them cheap at Costco.

Anyway, picked up the car last evening, the mechanic said the gasket came out in three(3) pieces !!! No wonder I had been smelling burning oil (increasing strength over time) everytime waiting at the highway off ramp which is slightly incline.

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'86 560SEL | Silver Ext. / Blue Int. | 201K miles (Apr. 05) | 204K miles (Feb. 06)

Frank,
Did you have the mechanic check valve timing while the covers were off? If that chain is stretched and the whipping action snaps the inside left bank rail, you're looking at $3000 to $4000 in repairs. One second you are cruising along, and the next second your car is worth about $500 if you can find a buyer.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.