I need help. Do I need a new head gasket?
 

I drive a 1992 190E 2.3 with just over 96,000 miles on it. A few weeks ago I notice a few drops of oil on the garage floor. Last night I took a really good look at the engine to determine where the oil is coming from and it seems to be coming out the right side (passenger side) of the engine just under the exhaust manifold. It's not leaking that much, only a few drops a week. Some of it has dripped into the plastic cover under the engine and the rest appears to be dripping off the transmission onto the ground. I've had this car for three years and it has never leaked a drop of oil, so I don't know why it started all of a sudden. It doesn't use up that much oil, either. I change the oil every 3000 miles and I check the dipstick once a week. The oil level on the dipstick doesn't move at all over the course of 3000 miles. Does this sound like the head gasket? I have no idea why it started leaking all of a sudden. I hope someone can help me with this.

not a head gasket until you see oil floating in the radiator overflow or the oil turns chocolate brown...

Rear oil gallery riser to the cylinder head/cam, gasket weeps slightly at this area.
Only complete cure is new h/gasket. :eek:

Is this anything I should be concerned about? I know it's becoming an older car so I don't mind if it leaks a little bit of oil. As long as it won't damage the engine I can live with it.

Small leak like that will not harm the engine, just keep an eye on the oil level. As long as the water and oil are not allowed to mix due to a head gasket failure you should be OK.

FACT :The oil will continue to leak more and more.
The head gaskets gradually compress and seal less.
The headbolts are TTY /Angle torque.. Do not reuse.
The location of the leak is above the down pipes.
The leaking oil will smoke off the exhaust pipes and stink.
Worst case, oil catches fire.
All the straight 6 motors will do this leaking deal.

Mercedes 'used' to replace the head gaskets under 'goodwill'
and would also do so if you already had the gasket replaced.

Start saving for the job...it's gonna happen. :rolleyes:

Check with MB locally and see if the gasket replacement is covered.
Trouble is. :( ..If MB replaces the gasket, they usually charge you for lots of other stuff that is iffy....like, engine bay wire loom, hoses,radiator, etc, etc.

The job is realy quite easy after the 15th to 18th one. :)

I've done 5 this year.

_____________________________________________________________