🚗 Classic Fault — Mercedes-Benz (1976–1985)
W123 engine oil leak from camshaft cover gasket
💰 Estimated Repair Cost
$10 – $40 GBP
Parts and labour estimate
🔧 Tools Required
Torque wrench
📋 Overview
The cork cam cover gasket on M102 and M115 engines hardens with age and leaks oil onto the exhaust manifold.
🩺 Symptoms
- Oil burning smell at operating temperature
- blue smoke from engine bay
- oil on top of engine
🔍 Possible Causes
- Hardened cam cover gasket
- loose cam cover bolts
- cracked cam cover
🛠️ Diagnosis Steps
Clean top of engine and run — identify oil seeping from cam cover perimeter
✅ Most Confirmed Fix
Cam cover gasket replacement with silicone bead at corners
91% of users confirm this fix worked (35 reports)
🩺 Related Symptoms
🔗 Other Mercedes-Benz Faults
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