It looks like the VC gasket on my new 300E has sprung a leak. I noticed something was amiss when I changed the oil last week but today I got a whiff of oil burning at a stoplight so it seems to have gotten worse. I popped the hood and was greeted with this. Does it look like the oil is just coming from the valve cover or does this look like a head gasket leak too? The head gasket was replaced about 45k miles ago so it seems pretty soon to need it again. I know the front of the engine is where they usually leak from.

not a head gasket...probably not a vc gasket.... it's the u shaped gasket... i need to do one , too

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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valve cover gasket and timing cover wait for the head gasket

Although, it is possible for the head gasket to leak after a refresh, it is rare. I have heard of cheaper Victor Reinz head gaskets failing short after, but if this is a MB gasket bought from the dealer it is the updated style with reinforced steel which makes it more unlikely and probably the u-shaped gasket giving it that leak you have now. Personally, if I were you in your shoes I would do ALL the gaskets now that are relevant when you go to fix this oil leak. Timing cover gasket, valve cover gasket etc just to get it out of the way for the future.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

So the consensus is that when these head gaskets fail its in the rear not in the front of the motor. For some reason I thought these failed at the front but anyway it looks like I need to get a valve cover and timing cover gasket. I may wait until its warmer and do a flush of the cooling system and replace the belt at the same time.

that is not a head gasket issue...not even sure if it's a 20 dollar valve cover gasket...more likely the 4 dollar u shaped gasket and 4 hours of time

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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That is the timing cover gasket right? I looked that job up in the FSM and it doesn't look fun at all.

it's not difficult, just time consuming... i would take off the fan .... then you have to take off the valve cover gasket, distributor cap , the plate behind it, and the rotor... there is a separate grommet in there too...

the tough part is always getting the timing cover on without disturbing the new seal... but i have never had a major issue...

i would first tighten the valve cover a bit...and clean everything up and watch for oil again..... it might only be the valve cover gasket...

thal all said... i have to do the timing cover gasket on my coupe and i am procrastinating... it's just not that bad, yet

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

By the way, when buying sealant buy Loctite. Mercedes brand sealant is just Loctite with MB in front of it. At 250K miles I would check the chain stretch. If it's at 5 degrees, change it. Usually though, they are good for at least 300K if it has been taken care of.