I have a '93 300TE 4Matic that has a 103 engine(2.960L). The car runs fine and has 270,000 miles. I have minor oil drips that I would like to get rid of. The power steering pump also has a small leak. The engine only uses about a quart of oil in 5M mile change, I have always used CASTROL 20w-50. The oil use is not a consideration but I would like some comments on whether to have the head gasket replaced. That seems to be where most of the drip is coming from. My "indie", who is very competent, used a flourescent dye in the oil to detect areas of leakage. He would do the gasket replacement if we decide to go ahead. I did have the oil seals done at about 150M, have also had a new water pump and alternator. The valve cover gasket was done with the valve seals, maybe I should just do that for now and see how much improvement in the problem. I don't want to open a "can of worms" with the head gasket replacement but I would like to eliminate the drips. I really like the car and can't find a suitable replacement for my use, we've looked at new MB's and just backed away from them. Thanks for any comments SRHarvey

I wish I could help you with this. My M103 had the head gasket done by the previous owner so I never had to do one yet. I would like to ask you what difference the oil seals at 150k did for you though.

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1989 300CE Astralsilber/Schwarz
1992 300CE Schwarz/Schwarz

lino: The engine had started to use some oil, I don't remember how much. this was a couple of years ago. Anyway, replacing the valve seals corrected the problem. srharvey

Don't even THINK about replacing the head gasket on this engine without doing a valve job while the head is off. At this mileage a valve job and fresh valve guides and seals will do wonders for the engine.

Have you been running ATF in the power steering? If so, that has probably worn out your shaft seal.

Good luck,

I myself was debating on getting a head gasket done. I have 94 C280 with 93,000 miles. Its definitely leaking but cant find the leak and could be towards the back of the engine and cant see it. I was quoted around $1500 for a head gasket job. I was wondering if getting a head gasket done with this kind of mileage is worth it. I plan to keep the car for at least 3 years.

Any advice will help my decision. Thanks.

A '94 C280 with 93K on it? I would definately invest the money to have the head gasket done. You might as well have them do a valve job if it looks like it might need it in the not too near future as well.
The money you spend will add up to several car payments on a new car - but you already know this car and know it's idiosyncrasies.

I'm in the same situation - having invested in the repair manuals for my 1993 300E 2.8 (157Kmi), I was also presented with a quote for head gasket replacement (also $1500), plus spark plug wire harness and engine wiring harness replacements and told I needed a tensioner block pulley. The total for all the required repairs was over $4000, not including the other repairs I need to have done (radiator grille , antenna motor, motor mounts, WOT assembly, most of which I was planning to do myself)

I love the car, but I'm afraid it might have to be replaced with something a little newer and a little less expensive to keep up.

Exactly where is the leak coming from? The head gasket is not a common source of oil leaks because there is only one small pressurized passage up to the head to lubricate the cam bearings and valve gear.

The most common sources of oil leaks are the cam cover gasket and front cover gasket. Since your cam cover gasket has been replaced, and if the oil leak is at the front of the engine, then the most likely cause is the front cover gasket/sealing, NOT the head gasket.

Any older car will usually develop minor oil leaks. Unless you are completely anal, it's best to just live with them until a larger problem requires a solution and the cost of fixing the minor leak is either part of the job or just a minor addition. For example, if the engine developed an external or internal coolant leak that was traced to the head gasket, that would be an excellent opportunity to check the timing chain and tensioner and reseal the front cover.

Duke

I forgot to mention - the reason why the dealer recommended the head gasket replacement was to fix a coolant leak from the rear of the engine at the passenger side.

WIth that high a mileage it would be a fools economy not to have the valve guides etc replaced.

Watch out w/ this car, if you do the head the harness for the coils/injectors is Sure to go bad. Budget another 7-800 for the harness (not exact quote, just off the top of my head).

Jonathan

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Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
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Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
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Jonathan:

I thought the harness problems were with on the 104 engine, the 1993 4matic used the 103.

Rob

The "front timing cover at top" is a very common place for the M103 engine to leak oil. This article describes how to diagnose and repair the leak:

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/M103TimingCoverReseal


(updated url)

-Robert

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89 300te 222,222
92 300e 190,000

This is what I get when I go to that link:

"This page doesn't exist yet. Maybe you want to create it?"

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

oops! here it is:
http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/M103TimingCoverReseal

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89 300te 222,222
92 300e 190,000