[Smtilford]

W163, 1999 ML430.
I have a huge oil leak. It runs through about 2 quarts a week, and leaves a huge puddle of oil when parked. I replaced the valve cover gaskets, and this leak appeared immediately. It no longer leaks from the valve covers, but I am at a loss on what is causing this big leak. Timing cover? Front main seal? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I have had to park it for the last couple of months.

 

[Witek_M]

W163, 1999 ML430.
I have a huge oil leak. It runs through about 2 quarts a week, and leaves a huge puddle of oil when parked. I replaced the valve cover gaskets, and this leak appeared immediately. It no longer leaks from the valve covers, but I am at a loss on what is causing this big leak. Timing cover? Front main seal? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I have had to park it for the last couple of months.

Is it on the front right side of engine?

 

[Smtilford]

Yes. As you look at the engine, it's on the left side. I am pretty sure that is the right hand side?

 

[Smtilford]

W163, 1999 ML430.
I have a huge oil leak. It runs through about 2 quarts a week, and leaves a huge puddle of oil when parked. I replaced the valve cover gaskets, and this leak appeared immediately. It no longer leaks from the valve covers, but I am at a loss on what is causing this big leak. Timing cover? Front main seal? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I have had to park it for the last couple of months.

Yes. As you look at the engine, it's on the left side. I am pretty sure that is the right hand side?

 

[wallyo]

Have you looked at the oil pressure port test cover?

 

[Smtilford]

Have you looked at the oil pressure port test cover?

I don't know what that part is. Please let me know where to look. Thank you so much!

 

[Witek_M]

Yes. As you look at the engine, it's on the left side. I am pretty sure that is the right hand side?

Disconnect battery, remove alternator, clean area. Wrap alternator cable with electrical tape so it does not short to ground. Connect battery and start engine. Watch chain tensioner area.

 

[wallyo]

More high pressure leaks from 'Oil Pressure Test...

Wallyo: Please clarify: Primary & Secondary Cats is that what you mean ? If so, my Secondaries are gone & replaced with straight pipes - perfectly legal in Texas. Me: Starts humming "(Non) California Dreaming", LOL Ha Ha So, I'm really mainly concerned with the Fronts. BTW, I measured my...

www.benzworld.org

 

[Smtilford]

Disconnect battery, remove alternator, clean area. Wrap alternator cable with electrical tape so it does not short to ground. Connect battery and start engine. Watch chain tensioner area.

Ok, I will do that when the rain here in Washington decides to not be a downpour. I will go to auto store and buy a bunch of brake cleaner to see new leaks.

 

[Witek_M]

Ok, I will do that when the rain here in Washington decides to not be a downpour. I will go to auto store and buy a bunch of brake cleaner to see new leaks.

Get inspection mirror while you at it.

Here is picture of oil pressure test port.

 

[Smtilford]

Get inspection mirror while you at it.

Here is picture of oil pressure test port.

It seems to be coming from this area of the motor.

 

[wallyo]

The test port is at high pressure so my thought was maybe it was spraying in a stream and hitting the area in question.

A valve cover leak is at low pressure, after the oil has been pumped up. So it would need to be very signinificant leak to loose oil at your rate, wraped, not torqued to correct Nm or in correct pattern. and you see no leak.

Look at this part 6 of an 113 engine rebuild pay attention at the 11:00 minute mark. It is here he reinstalls the timing tensioner. you will get a crystal clear view of what witek is thinking. The video series is so good I may watch all of it. Look for any cracks.

here is another on more common leak areas

Rain stopped here for now, had quite the storm this AM. Thunder storm at about 7 AM. Very rare I don't think I ever remember one happening first in the morning like that in Boise.

 

[Smtilford]

The test port is at high pressure so my thought was maybe it was spraying in a stream and hitting the area in question.

A valve cover leak is at low pressure, after the oil has been pumped up. So it would need to be very signinificant leak to loose oil at your rate, wraped, not torqued to correct Nm or in correct pattern. and you see no leak.

Look at this part 6 of an 113 engine rebuild pay attention at the 11:00 minute mark. It is here he reinstalls the timing tensioner. you will get a crystal clear view of what witek is thinking. The video series is so good I may watch all of it. Look for any cracks.

here is another on more common leak areas

Rain stopped here for now, had quite the storm this AM. Thunder storm at about 7 AM. Very rare I don't think I ever remember one happening first in the morning like that in Boise.

Thank you! I will watch the whole video also. I too the battery into the parts store, as it wasn't taking a charge from my trickle charger. Turns out I need to replace it. So I will be getting a new battery for it tomorrow. I bought brake clean, and more oil. So I should be able to get a look at it tomorrow, barring the downpours we had here today. Thank you for your advice, as I am at my wits end. I spent close to $1,500 on replacing coils, wires, plugs, intake pipe (because the clip broke off the intake when I removed it), valve cover gaskets, O2 sensors, and tires. And then it just stared leaking oil so badly. So I am enjoying my 35mpg 2019 Honda Civic ex, but I miss having a V8! I tore my rotator cuff shortly after all this, and am just now getting strong enough to do my own repairs again.

 

[Smtilford]

Here is a photo of before I replaced the valve cover gaskets. I will take some shots of it today, before I clean and after.

 

[Kustom1911]

I reviewed my hand written notes on the 112 and 113 engines we have in our W163's. I have read
that the chain tensioner bolt can leak somewhere, sometimes major leak. It is located behind the alternator, in the front timing cover,
and has a large hex head. you might want to look at that, but you have to remove alternator.

 

[wallyo]

So I should be able to get a look at it tomorrow, barring the downpours we had here today.

If it is the tensioner leaking you will need a new crush washer. Advance auto has a pretty good stock of generic ones in various sizes they may have the one you need today, I buy the ones for the oil pan plug there. Other wise dealer or on line.


Downpouring here now we got an 1 “ yesterday, the whole month of June we get 3”, Seattle must be drowning!

 

[Smtilford]

I reviewed my hand written notes on the 112 and 113 engines we have in our W163's. I have read
that the chain tensioner bolt can leak somewhere, sometimes major leak. It is located behind the alternator, in the front timing cover,
and has a large hex head. you might want to look at that, but you have to remove alternator.

Thank you! I will focus on that today!

 

[Smtilford]

If it is the tensioner leaking you will need a new crush washer. Advance auto has a pretty good stock of generic ones in various sizes they may have the one you need today, I buy the ones for the oil pan plug there. Other wise dealer or on line.


Downpouring here now we got an 1 “ yesterday, the whole month of June we get 3”, Seattle must be drowning!

Thanks, that's great to know I can source it locally!

 

[Witek_M]

Thanks, that's great to know I can source it locally!

#107 in this parts diagram.

M 112.942 - CAMSHAFT AND CHAIN DRIVE > Mercedes EPC Online > nemigaparts.com

Parts catalogs. Spare parts catalog Mercedes EPC Online. Mercedes. Car. Engine - Power Systems CAMSHAFT AND CHAIN DRIVE.

nemigaparts.com