[dantefr]

Hey, i just got back from the stealership getting the oil changed (needed done and they were the closest). Anyway, they said i have the following problems:

Both Valve cover gaskets need replaced
Lower Oil pan gasket needs replaced
Oil level sensor seal needs replaced
left rear axle seal is leaking

Has anyone done, or had done any of the above??? If so, can you shed some light on how long each take? I know what the parts cost but would like to know how long it ACTUALLY takes to fix them. stealership quoted me like $1400 + for parts and labor for all of them! So i'm sure in reality it costs about $175 in parts and about $300 in labor.... ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED! THANKS!

 

[Benzkid27]

Lower oil pan gasket is common.my 500 and both my uncles 320 and 500 had the same prob.Easy fix.....It was fixed while back but my gas sending house had a major leak and I had my Dad fix that for me

 

[bayhas]

the only way for all of these seals to blow at teh SAME time and require replacement is if you throw a hand grenade in the crankcase...

how low was the car on oil when you changed the oil after 3K miles? did you notice any oil under the car? if the car a leaking a drop a week it might not be worth the money to change the gaskets.

 

[dantefr]

they told me it was between 2.5 and 3 QTS low.... I have to be honest, I haven't noticed any oil leakage but it has been 3500+ miles since my last change on August 29, 2006! (I haven't driven it much over the winter). Although it has been out on short trips quite a bit. How long do they take to replace? If its not very long then i'm just going to change them out. the parts are pretty cheap

 

[dantefr]

No one else has done/had done any of my problems??

 

[telechronos]

I am sure that you want the info that I do not have but I agree that to cause all of those gaskets and seals to go at the same time would require something like a grenade. Are you taking the word of your "honest" and caring stealer for the deficiencies or did you have the opportunity to personally examine the evidence of each of the leaks for yourself? Have you seen any evidence, yourself, of a loss of 2-3 qts of oil. in 3500 miles? Was your August oil change done by the same stealer? Was there any problem then? Did you personally see any problem in August. Seems even more suspicious that all that would pop up in 3500 miles.

Although not easy to see all of the leaking items, I would attempt to visually check them before undertaking the replacement. With three quarts in 3500 miles there should certainly be substantial evidence on the underside of your car.

Good luck, I checked a couple of sources regarding replement of the components you have described and they were of minimal help.

Telechronos

1999 S500 Grand Edition (35309 miles)

 

[Peter Guenther]

I think they have found a new way to make money, I just had my 140 in for a window regulator and trans flush (as long as it was in) and I got a phone call telling me I need caps rotors and plugs (they did 10,00 ago) air filters (i did 3 months ago) fresh air and cabin filters (3months ago) and power steering flush, which I did along with the filter and other things including the A/C charcoal filter (8hr job). Their claim, after I blew up, was at my mileage under 100,00 it was neccessary, and suggested.
The shop manager agreed and at the mechanics meeting, got a lot of comment that customers should be suggested but it is the customer who decides. There are a lot of people who have no clue as to what needs to be done!
I also got the numerous oil seeping comments, 10,000 between changes and none of my levels were down, seepage yes!
The machanics have found a way to make more money, and the service manager should be the filter.

 

[dantefr]

haha Telechronos, i have gone under the car and seen minor leakage from the oil pan gasket (its a cheap part and easy to replace so i'll probably do it). As for the other items, i'm not too sure. I will NEVER EVER EVER take a stealership for their word. It's going in to my private mechanic who I would trust with my life and he will do whatever is necessary. Stealers have tried to pull this shit on me before and i always have the same reaction.... fear at first and then a realization that they are full of shit

 

[Brett San Diego]

No one else has done/had done any of my problems??

I'm pretty confident my car has them all, but I don't consider minor oil leaks a problem. I would consider a major oil leak a problem. I will fix them at my leisure. Does your car even drip oil onto the garage floor?

For what's involved in replacing the valve cover gaskets have a look at this write up on doing the oil guides on the M119. You have to remove the valve covers to get to the oil guides. Basically, the upper intake plumbing all has to come off, then out come the ignition coils, then unbolt the valve covers.

Replacing Oil Guides by Greg Baxter

On the V12, the lower oil pan gasket is trivial (just like doing the transmission sump gasket during transmission fluid change). The oil level sender plug is sealed by an O-ring. It is easily replaceable once you have the oil pan off. Just push the plug out of the oil sub-pan, replace the O-ring, and push it back in. Oil pan gasket and the oil level sender gasket should be rolled into one labor charge. Don't let them double up on you on the labor. Alldata says 1.1 h of labor for the oil pan replacement. Again this is for the V12, but I would think the V8 has a similar upper/lower oil pan arrangement.

Brett

 

[dantefr]

Thanks Brett! I will pass this information along to my private mechanic if he agrees with the dealer (which is rare). I want to know how I could possibly be 2.5 to 3 QTS low! I haven't noticed any dripping, or at least not enough to account for that much oil.

 

[jaalmodo]

I have an oil leak in my 1999 s320 from oil pan gasket. Did you have it repaired?