'01 S600 Oil Leak

[dreamline]

My '01 S600 leaks oil - a few drops overnight, and leaks onto the left exhaust pipe (below the manifold) when I drive uphill - I can see and smell oil burning.
I've looked around, but can't seem to find the source yet.
Does anyone have any experience with oil leaks in these engines?
Thanks!

[trueog]

Originally Posted by dreamline

My '01 S600 leaks oil - a few drops overnight, and leaks onto the left exhaust pipe (below the manifold) when I drive uphill - I can see and smell oil burning.
I've looked around, but can't seem to find the source yet.
Does anyone have any experience with oil leaks in these engines?
Thanks!

I think its you're head gasket. I have the same problem with a C-Class, and was told by the dealer of a small head gasket leak. Considering you're car's V12 engines only worth about $15 000 if it dies on you, i'd get it checked out ASAP...

[DR.DIESEL]

Where does it drip on the exhaust? On the side or behind the engine?
Is there oil on the black plastic ignition rail that covers all the plugs?
Is there oil where the black intake pipes meet the intake mainfold?
It is not very likely a head gasket since this engine uses very good
sealant for the head to block contact area.
Is the ABC fluid reservoir low? this is also very common to leak onto
exhaust. See dealer for recall/service campaign.
DR.D

[trueog]

Originally Posted by DR.DIESEL

Where does it drip on the exhaust? On the side or behind the engine?
Is there oil on the black plastic ignition rail that covers all the plugs?
Is there oil where the black intake pipes meet the intake mainfold?
It is not very likely a head gasket since this engine uses very good
sealant for the head to block contact area.
Is the ABC fluid reservoir low? this is also very common to leak onto
exhaust. See dealer for recall/service campaign.
DR.D

THere you heard it, he knows more then me. So it's not a head gasket leak, i wuz wrong...

[DR.DIESEL]

Crankcase oil builds up in these M137 motors right where the intake plastic pipes and the manifold meet. It will drip out of the joint.
There are some known issues with the PCV system on these cars.
If you have warranty or service contract, you might want to use it.
Regards
DR.D

[skiier3_9]

From your other posts, Dr. D., it sounds like anyone with a 00 - 01 S600/CL600 (m137) is better off selling their car than dealing with the poorly desinged/problem ridden engine.

Thoughts? -- I'm certainly no expert

[ILUVMILS]

Originally Posted by DR.DIESEL

Crankcase oil builds up in these M137 motors right where the intake plastic pipes and the manifold meet. It will drip out of the joint.
There are some known issues with the PCV system on these cars.
If you have warranty or service contract, you might want to use it.
Regards
DR.D

Very true however, I've found the most common reason for oil in the intake is due to the Cylinder Shut-Off (CSO) feature. The M137 can shut off the entire left bank under certain conditions to improve fuel economy. This can allow blow-by due to the pressure/temperature differences of the inactive cylinders. Fortunately, the CSO can be de-activated with SDS. If I owned any M137 equipped MB, the first thing I'd do is de-activate CSO. Eventually the oil in the intake will cause ignition mis-fire which will quickly damage the (very expensive) ignition coils.