Hello, I am new to these forms, and any info would be great!!

I just purchased a 1996 e320 with 109,300 miles (Artic White , with updated tailights and xenon headlights)

I love this car, interior is a flawless black color and everything has been good but for 2 problems, but this one will only tackle one of them.

I drove for 80 Miles one way and one way back (so a total of about 160 miles in a 5 hour span). When I got home, I noticed a white smoke coming from the "vents" on top of the hood. I popped the hood open and noticed nothing so I closed it and slept the car for the night.

The next morning, I noticed some oil stains under my car, dabbed a white towel into it and was the same color as the oil on my engine dipstick. I drove it about 10 miles today, and parked it in a different spot to see if anything else leaked, but no new leaks dripped now. Was wondering what you guys can come from this? From what Ive read, this may be a head gasket, or time belt leak, but my mechanic that sells MB parts tells me that it might be a hose that leaked due to the fact that so much oil spilled in a small amount of time (head gasket leaks are usually gradual).

Again, first time here, and any help or experience with this problem would be greatful! Thanks

P.S oil looks like its spilling around the top left corner of the engine room (slightly above alternator), also attached a pic of the amount of oil spilled.

 

if you have the inline 6 cylinder which i think you do it could be the front lip seal which is at the front of the engine, a cover comes off and the valve cover comes off to replace it. and the seal needs replacement also yes could be a headgasket leak but that is usually from the back of the block.

 

Ahh would this also be called the "Front cylinder head seal"? None the less is this an expensive fix?

Also something very weird, ever since last night no more oil seems to be leaking' I went to work and left my car parked for about 5 hours and not a single drop of oil came down?? Very werid, agian the oil leaked after I drove about 130 miles in a span of 3 hours.

 

Please anyone that can help I'd appreciate that!!

 

yes the front cylinder head seal. dealer charges 5 hours. they do commonly leak after sometime.