detail pictures of the engine to check leak

[bcjm]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[bcjm]

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 ✝︎]

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

[bpossel]

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]

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]

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]

Joe and Naj, thanks for the tip and pictures.   My leak fix just moved up about 50 spots on the fix list!!!!!

[ja17]

Hey Bob,

Those U.S. style hose clamps are painful to look at on that otherwise perfiect engine!

[bpossel]

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]

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

[bcjm]

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]

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]

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?

[bpossel]

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