leaking head 87 560 SL

Hi guys, I posted this in the tech forum and haven't had a response.My 87 560 SL 102k is leaking oil from around the manifold and the right head.I'ts just a little drip a couple of spots on the floor.Is this normal for this model?Am I looking at a 'Big Job"?What is a fair price to repair and should I even worry about it?Any advice will be most welcom! Thanks Stan

I had the same problem and had a shop fix it. As I recall it cost almost $800. Two years later something else is leaking. Like yours it's just a few drops. I think I'll look at it myself first and see if it is something I can fix.

[Barrie Sambrook]

I've heard they have a tendancy to do this and, if its the head gasget and the head has to be removed you may as well do a valve job while its apart.
You may be lucky though Steve, it could be just a leaking valve cover gasget and the oil is running down the side of the engine.
I'd suggest you check that out first as its a fairly simple (and cheap) fix.

Barrie

[Tom McMenamin]

Fritz:

ALL 560 SL head gaskets leak!!! I know I'm gonna get clobbered with replies that say "Mine Doesn't" "Thats not true" etc. etc.

At 102K your gonna have leaks. Have you done the Timing chain yet? If not, I would put up with the leak as long as its small and wait till you do the chain! They should do the Head Gasket at the same time.

This will save you some money for buying rags and wipe it up till its CHAIN TIME, BUBBA!!!! and at 102K you are almost there!

Hope this helps!

I've the same drip from the rear portion of the right head on my 380SL. A tech told me that it was/is a common problem and not to worry... just check oil level often and wait until the drip turned into a steady fast drip drip drip.

W