Author Topic: detail pictures of the engine to check leak  (Read 9386 times)

bcjm

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detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« on: April 08, 2009, 02:04:51 »
I have a small oil leak from the engine of my 280SL for a while.  It is coming from the the front of the engine around the water pump area (I think).  I have read many posts about this issue and I have tried to fix this problem many times like sealing the bolt from inside the valve cover and all other area people has mentioned.  The leak is getting worse and I have not driven the car for a year now.

There are just too many hoses, brackets etc. block the view.  Does anyone has an engine out of the car?  If you are in D.C. metro area I would be happy to stop by to take a look.  If you are not close, do you mind take some photos to the area that may cause a leak?

Thanks you.
Bob
 

SteveK

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2009, 02:57:59 »
Bob, I believe I have the same issue you have.  I'm cleaning up my engine compartment and redoing all of the hoses and belts and anything else that looks a little funny.   When I asked about the leak I was correctly led to the area behind the water pump body that has a small hole which originates from the drain bolt in the oil sump of the timing chain tensioner.  It looks to me like you have to pull the timing chain to get to this small  bolt so you could then replace it with thread sealant.  I've decided that it's a job for the future ::)   Right now I have plugged the hole behind the pump with some JB Weld which seems to be holding.  The hole is only about 3/16 diameter so it was easy to plug as a temp fix.  I'm out of town for a few days but could send a picture this weekend.  If your not doing anything else, its a lot of work just to fix this little leak!
I do plan on fixing mine however, it will just be low on the punch list.

bpossel

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2009, 10:20:32 »
Hi Guys,

Here is a pic of the front of the engine.  Lots of holes that could be the source of a leak.
Bob


ja17

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2009, 10:56:29 »
Hello Steve,

You can get a allen head 6mm diameter bolt into the threaded hole without removing anything. The chain tensioner sprocket arm will move over slightly on its pivot to make just enoguh room to get the bolt in.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

bcjm

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2009, 13:46:47 »
bpossel,

Thank you for the photo.  Do you have one from the side (intake/exhaust) also?  Is there anything could cause a leak from that side?

In your photo, which hole is for the 6mm allen bolt?   I resealed the 6mm bolt before.  I want to double check if that area is dry.

Thanks
Bob

Naj ✝︎

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2009, 15:54:31 »
Hello Steve,

You can get a allen head 6mm diameter bolt into the threaded hole without removing anything. The chain tensioner sprocket arm will move over slightly on its pivot to make just enoguh room to get the bolt in.

Here's a pic showing it:

naj
68 280SL

bpossel

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2009, 17:08:49 »
Here is a pic of the side...  leaks could come from the cover plates?  Or from the alt bracket holes?
When I bought my car I used a putty knife and scraped about 10 pounds of grease/oil/dirt from this side...
Any experts on where leaks on the intake/exhaust side come from?
Bob


Anfinn

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2009, 17:48:55 »
Bob,
excellent engine photos!

Does any of them show where the last screw that holds the AC "elephant bracket" is?
I believe you have removed the AC from your car, and I am coming on to that job now.
I have removed all the bolts I can see, but there is still one holding.

From other threads it seems I have to remove radiator, water pump and thermostat housing to get to it.
It would be helpful if I knew where it was.

(Apologies for sidetracking the thread.)

bpossel

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2009, 00:51:55 »
Here are some add'l pics.  Hope this helps!
No need to remove water pump, but you will need to remove the pulley.
I think I did remove the radiator and fan to be able to remove the pulley.
Good Luck!
Bob

SteveK

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2009, 01:34:18 »
Joe and Naj, thanks for the tip and pictures.   My leak fix just moved up about 50 spots on the fix list!!!!!

ja17

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2009, 03:42:06 »
Hey Bob,

Those U.S. style hose clamps are painful to look at on that otherwise perfiect engine!
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

bpossel

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #11 on: April 09, 2009, 09:52:22 »
Hi Joe,

Thanks!  I guess I need a lesson on hose clamps...
I really dont want to mess with the banding type.
Is there something inbetween that looks better then these cluncky usa style?
Bob  :)

Peter van Es

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2009, 10:02:01 »
Just search for them on the board ("hose clamps") and you shall find: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=1461.0

I have clamps like you and since I'm not a stickler for originality but reliability (rallies, you know!) I don't care.

Peter


1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

bcjm

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2009, 12:22:39 »
Sorry can we go back to the original question?   :)
Can someone tell me which hole in the engine picture is for the allen bolt coming from the inside of the valve cover?

bcjm

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #14 on: April 09, 2009, 13:15:21 »
Sorry that is not what I asked.  I resealed that bolt before.  I know how to access it.   Which hole (outside of the engine) in the photo will leak oil if this is not seal tight? 

tel76

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2009, 20:36:09 »
Hello Bob,
On pictures 2 and 3 what is the banjo for on the bolt holding the timing pointer?
How did you clean the aluminium parts on the engine?
Eric

bpossel

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Re: detail pictures of the engine to check leak
« Reply #16 on: April 09, 2009, 23:12:39 »
Hi Eric,

The banjo is part of the later model emission system.  There is a hard black plastic tube that connects to this banjo and the other end connects to the air tank in the trunk.  Earlier models simply vented thru the floor of the trunk.

In terms of cleaning....  after many years of cleaning....  I cheated and simply pulled my engine and shipped it to Metric Motors in CA.  They rebuilt the top and bottom and it now looks very nice, as good as new!  No leaks, no more cleaning, except a bit of dusting once in a while after a dusty drive...

I think we need to migrate this thread back to bcjm's original question.....

Bob  :)
« Last Edit: April 09, 2009, 23:24:01 by bpossel »