Im new here and just bought a 1996 e320 last week. Got it home (drove 400 miles back) and a few days later I notice oil leaking out the bottom, took it to a repair shop up here and the scratch their heads and say its a head gasket (took 3 guys 5 min to pop the hood lol) I called the dealer and they tell me that if the head gasket was bad it wouldnt leak oil, just coolant, does that sound right to anybody or are they just pulling my leg. The leak looks like the front of the engine towards the top somewhere, anybody have any ideas. Thanks a ton Tory

 

First,no such thing as a stupid question.Especially when it comes down to oil issues.
The L6 engines have been prone to leaky valve cover gaskets,clean the engine following the instructions on the foamy engine brite can or gunk, etc.closely so as not to get water on air or ignition parts.Then you can look for the leak.It would have to be a massive blown head gasket for you to have oil coming out,so massive it would barely run if it ran at all.And your oil dip stick when you checked the oil would come out looking like sludge.
Is the engine running well? If you can't easily locate the leak and you should be able to if it's clean and you use a good strong flashlight,you can ask at napa or your local supply for an (oil leak dye kit),added to a quart of oil and added to the engine you run it for awhile and shine a uv light on the engine in a dark garage and the leak can be traced to the source.Also are you sure it's oil?Color?
good luck,I think if she's running fine you will locate and fix the problem
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"

 

yes the are none to leak oil its always the front aliminum cover that leaks, it as a defective seal,that needs to be replced.after complents of oil leaks the design of the cover become part of the comlete cylinder head and belevie it or not they still leak oil not badly but wip of oil .........

 

Thanks you for the relpy. The car runs like new I drove it about a hour straight yesterday and it was 92 outside, no problems. Oil looks fine in the dipstick and its for sure oil leaking no doubt about that. I found another repair shop who deals with mb but they are booked till end of next week. Ill just keep checking the oil level and I think I will be fine till then. Thanks again Tory

 

This is a real easy fix if it is the valve cover.DIY (do it yourself).I think you will be awakened to the facts of why a lot of us are here,either the dealers and indie's absurd prices for simple jobs,or simply knowing you get the job done correctly.An old friend that was lead mech. at a big mb shop put it this way,all the money is in the new cars,a and b service etc. an older model pulls in, old parts, dirt and grease and with their training on newer models,harder to work on.He's retired now but told me they just shine on the old rigs and really don't care to work on them.At the least clean the engine bay,if you are not mechanically inclined and really need to take it to a shop,they will see you care about a clean neat engine bay and will pay more attention to your car v.s. the guy who comes in and has a piece of crap that is so dirty they know he dosen't give a rip about his rig.
good luck,glad it's running great,keep it that way!
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"

 

Its the head gasket, guy told me it might stay slow leaking for years before it gets worse,just told me to check oil levels and watch temp.