Hello all! Each week my 1982 240D gets one step closer towards restoration. Something is driving me nuts however.My driveway is becoming an oil sponge. I've had leaks before, but this is really something.What are thetypical biggest offenders when it comes to oil leaks on this particular engine. I don't mind a drop or two, but I'm starting to think that my car needs a diaper. Any advice is welcome. Thanks!![8D]

 

I would try the valve cover gasket first
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I replaced the oil pan gasket on my '78 and it made a huge difference.

 

Oil pan gasket... I looked under the front of the car and what I believe to be the oil pan is ridiculous. It looks like some wet monster. My suspicion is that the oil pan gasket is shot. Is this a difficult thing to change? I've never done one. I don't own a torque wrench. Can I do it without one? Any guidance on this would be welcome. I'm having trouble locating an instructional link.

On another note, I replaced the rear deck on my 240D today. It was beyond trashed. It literally disintegrated. The speakers were ***** of hanging rust and muck. A trip to Lowes solved everthing. Less than $13 and 4 hours later, I have completely installed a finely carpeted wooden deck that now will accomodate 6 1/2" speakers instead of the tiny 5 1/4". I'm starting to really enjoy working on this car.

 

Don't forget to check the transmission for leaks. ATF can roll along surfaces picking up engine oil grime on the way down and look very much like an engine oil leak by the time it hits the ground. The pan gasket is easy to change, and you can use the opportunity to refresh the pickup filter and ATF while you are in there.

Also check the vacuum modulator to ensurea copper or aluminum ring gasket is in place - for some reason people seem to forget to install a sealing gasket here.

On my rear deck I did a similar thing to your project, but I also removed the First Aid Kit well
and used the space for a 10" subwoofer.

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Dirty D,
Does the fact that I have a manual transmission change any of your advice?
R/
Scuddog

 

Yes, this changes my advice. The manual trannies don't really leak unless the input or output shaft seals go bad. These are easy to pinpoint as a trans leak and not an engine oil leak.

 

did you change to synthetic?

 

[8D]Merc, I have since sold the vehicle... for a profit! I'll do this again.

I only changed the oil with Mobil Delvac, not the syn stuff. I think that the car had leaks from years of neglect. My guess is that this thing was leaking oil in every gasket possible. I learned a lot from that 240 and will keep my eye out for another in the future.... I'll just avoid a rusted out one next time. Rust sucks.