So I was pretty sure I had a bad head gasket the other day. There were bubbles along with oil in my coolant resevoir, and the coolant was extremely low. So I decide to see if I can find a leak, well to my suprise the first place I look ( the textbook area of head gasket failure on a m103 ) is the rear passenger side of the engine, and sure enough, there was fresh oil on the side of the block.

But I figure I would take it to a mechanic just to double check and make sure that's the problem before I rip the head off to change it, mostly because of my lack of free time.

So I get the car back today and see that they have changed the timing chain cover gasket? And said that was the cause of the leak?

What are the known symptoms of THAT gasket failure? And is there any other reason I would have oil/bubbles in my coolant and oil on the side of my bock?

Thanks alot

-E

Leaks from the timing chain cover is also a common problem on the M103 and you may have had the problem. You will usually find oil on the front anti-roll bar and on the encapsulation panel below the front of the engine.

However, you also have a bad head gasket if you have oil in the coolant and down the rear of the engine on the passenger side.

I had both problems and had symptoms as described in both cases above. When the head gasket is replaced, you automatically get the timing chain cover leak fixed in the process.

Oil in coolant has 2 sources:
1) Somebody inadvertly put oil in it
2) failed Head gasket
The front cover gasket leak (timing chain cover) has nothing to do with your problem.
unfortunately, it will have to be done again if you have the head gasket replaced.
jackd

The gasket at the front is at the "C" shaped area at the front of the head where the timing chain cover meets the head.

It is a very frequent area for oil leaks, just like at the right rear corner of the head gasket.

This area may or may not have been leaking oil, but it surely has nothing to do with your coolant loss and oil in your coolant reservoir.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Thanks guys

-E