I've been looking at a lot of 300E's and it seems most have a lot of oil seeping on the side where the headers are. Is this common and is it something to stay away from?
Everything I've read about the 300E's is very possitive and so I'm concerned when I see this.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

M103's and M104s tend to leak from the upper timing cover some and from the head gaskets. Not a real serious issue. You want to stop the leak? Reseal the top end, otherwise drive it. Normally I do a valve job on the 103 around 150k and 104 headgaskets around 120k.

I've also seen 104's leak from the Cam advance soliniod and the center of the cam sensor. On somewhat rarer occasions, oil pan and rear seal on both engines.



Joe

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Project Smoker, '87 603 powered wagon
Hauler, 96 CTD can you say torque?
Toy 73 Cougar xr7 convertible
Acme Automotive Inc.
Raleigh NC
919-881-0364

My E300, 1993 with 128K is in the shop now with what was diagnosed as head gasket leak with oil in the coolant. I am glad to read on other posts this may not be as major a problem as I first thought. After this is dealt with on the warranty, plan to deal with the stall problem, the more I read the more I think it is this sticky idle control. But I would not give up this car- it is wonderful, and even with these newly discovered problems, I'd buy it again from the same dealer and at the same price. In fact, I'm looking for another one for a friend.

I think these 300's are some kind of metaphor on life! So who wants to miss out on that?