Hello, I was going to check the wires, distr. cap, rotor due to a slightly "hesitant" idle today. Before I took the plastic covers off, what I noticed was oil in the front (first two cylinders only) passenger side wall of the cyclinder block and in the distributor cap rotor area. I have had the valve cover gasket replaced before and am sure it is not from their. Is this defenitely a head gasket leak? Could this be a cause of the hesitant idle. Oil consumption is not dramatic and the performance of the car otherwise is perfect. Should I still buy new and replace the distr. cap, plug, and wires. About the wires also, past messages have noted that the wires rarely fail. I was checking the condition of the wires directly above the exhaust manifold and they look rather faded or sort of surface cracked. Should I replace them also. Thanks for all the help again.

First thing,is the hesitant idle when the engine is at op temp or at warm up.
I think you will find that most M103 engines leak a little from the head area.
There could be other reasons for the idle.

The 3 main areas are spark, fuel and compression.

But the burnt HighTension Leads are a good lead...

KenT,

I suggest that you wash that portion of the engine thoroughly at the carwash. Then watch closely, maybe daily to see where it is coming from. I'll bet my money that you find the leak coming from the timing cover area. This is a very common leak area. Mine has a very slight leak at this area, and I just keep an eye on it. Mine is so slight it rarely drops a single drop on the shop floor.

Hope this helps,


------------------
Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Thanks, I'll do just that. But where exactly is the timing cover area? Is it the same as the valve cover seal because I am sure the leak is not from there. There is oil toward the front of the car at the first two cylinder block area on both sides and also at the front.

KenT,

The timing cover is basically the front cover of the engine. At the top front of the engine, there is a sort of half round shape cover, with a seal at the bottom of it. This seal is bad about leaking. Since it is approximately at valve cover height and at the front of the engine. The small leak dribbles oil down and back along the side of the engine next to the front two cylinders. Wash the engine at the carwash, and then glance at it every day until you see where the oil is coming from.

Good Luck,

------------------
Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Ken, Get some of the fluroescent dye used to check A/C systems for leakage (available at most wholesale auto parts outlets). Clean up the top of the engine well. Add the dye to the engine oil and wait to see where it shows up. You'll need a ultraviolet light (can be gotten from most early adolescents , my grandaughter (9 y.o.) had three of them. Hope this helps..

------------------
Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325