380 sl timing cover leak
 

I have a 1985 380sl with a timing cover leak. My mechanic advised me the motor would have to be pulled in order to get the oil pan off --then the timing cover. Can anyone recommend the best place to get parts--such as gaskets, timing chain, ect, ect. Any advice on the leak would be great too.

RE: 380 sl timing cover leak
 

Craig,
How severe is the leak,i.e.,qt./wk, qt/mo, qt between changes? Is the engine unable to maintain oil pressure? What oil type and weight are you using?

Bob

RE: 380 sl timing cover leak
 

I just bought the car on friday and drove it home, 900 miles. When I got home I seen it leaking. It's not a bad leak, but leaks always get worse. It only has 99K on it, so I assume it has been sitting alot and dried out. But the oil pressure show's good.

RE: 380 sl timing cover leak
 

Craig,
Since the car is new to you and the leak not severe, nor are you losing oil pressure, if it has been sitting a long while, about the only thing I'd do if it were mine would be to change the oil/filter to the appropriate for your geographic area/temperatures. I wouldnot useMobil 1 or any synthetic blend; Castrol, Kendall, 'dino' oils etc are fine.

When cars like ours sit for extended periods, seals andsometimes gasketsdry out due to lack of lubrication flow in the engine, your 900 mile trip notwithstanding. The repairs you listed will be very expensive,as compared to a quart of oil now and then.

You can price out the parts at any of the online parts guys...AutohausAZ, buymbparts, BenzBin, etc., (add the www and .com for any of these) but the labor on this job is going to be high. Did your tech do a compression/leak down check? Measure flex in the timing chain? Did he mention whether you've got a single or double row chain? One thing that struck me as odd was removing the pan to get to the timing cover, as in my car, albiet slightly newer, this isn't necessary. Did the Tech say the pan gasket was leaking too?

Again, if it were mine, I'd get used to it, drive it a few weeks, and possibly get a second opinion unless you really trust what you've been told by the tech.

Bob