Well after what seems like the never ending battle againest oil leaks on my 1990 300CE (oil pan, upper/lower timing cover) I am now left with one last leak. Its very very difficult to tell if its the upper timing cover or head gasket. It leaking right from the point (right side of engine)where the timing chain cover and head gasket meet. My mechanic suggested re-torqueing the head to see if that will eliminate the leak before they pull the head off.

Any suggestions if you think this will help or not. Its not a bad leak, but more then seeping. The car has 138,000 miles and the gasket was replaced under warranty at approx 50,000 miles. I will have the head gasket done if it really needs it, but I'm sorta strapped for cash for a while...and can do without out the large bill. Has anyone stopped the head gasket leak by retorqueing the head?

Thanks in advance.

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1990 300CE-24
1995 Jeep Wrangler
1995 Ford Thunderbird

Not a chance. I have never seen a head gasket sealed by retorquing. The problem in gasket leaks is that the resilience is gone from the gasket and its just a hard shiny surface now.

BTW, MB thinks enough of this problem that they have a special section in their diagnostic directory discussing diagnostics here. The procedure as they see it is to reseal the cover using their new sealants and techniques. If this don't fix the leak it is to be considered diagnostic time and is the only way to verify which is the problem. It can not be discerned even with flourescent dye, believe me I've tried.



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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

We have done MANY of these, all cured the leaks. If it is not very bothersome, I would leave it until it is a problem. It will not hurt anything. Also, be sure your tech is using the factory sealant.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Thanks for the good feedback. I had the timing covers resealed by mechanic, using factory sealant. After wards I still had a small leak and found it to be coming from the electrical connector on the cam servo magnet. I replaced the it, but still have a bit of a leak. You are right that it is very difficult to find out where it is leaking from. It appears to be wet with oil from under the distributor cap, to on the weekend I will be pulling the plastic covers off the front of the engine to see what I can see and also clean everything up. I'll let you know what i find out.

Thanks again!