Thanks!
Do I need to replace these plastic caps?
Why are they falling out?

 

the caps are part of the tubes, when you get new tubes they will have the caps in them, thet just fall out over time. the parts are cheap a pretty easy fix.

 

Do you have part number and Pic for it?

Also, I looked at the engine yesterday to decide what should be removed etc... I saw that one of the Allen-head bold (toward the firewall)is not easy to access due to tight space.

Does anyone has any suggestion/procedure to remove the valve covers properly?

Thanks in advance!

 

the part number is 119-180-03-66 i will send a pic when i get home.

 

here is the picture of the oil cross over tube

 

here is the picture

[IMG]local://upfiles/20215/17FD817A53F240F29B2CA4B935F56D41.jpg[/IMG]

 

Same problem with my SL 500.
I verified this by pulling the valve cover, and feeling the ends of the oil supply tubes. Sure enough, one of the end plugs is missing on one of the oil supply tubes. It was easy to isolate which bank by listening through a long thin screwdriver (I don't own a stethoscope). There are 16 tubes on the 1997 SL 500. Does anyone know the torque spec for the cap bolts?
Regards,
Perry

 

12 Nm for the caps.

 

DIY
http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/M119OilGuides
have fun