🚗 Classic Fault — Mercedes-Benz W126 (1979–1991)
W126 M117 V8 oil leak from cam cover gaskets
💰 Estimated Repair Cost
$20 – $80 GBP
Parts and labour estimate
🔧 Tools Required
Torque wrench
📋 Overview
Both cam covers on the M117 V8 use gaskets that harden and leak. The rear cover is particularly awkward to access.
🩺 Symptoms
- Oil smell at temperature
- oil dripping onto exhaust
- oil consumption
- blue smoke from engine bay
🔍 Possible Causes
- Hardened cam cover gaskets
- loose cover bolts
- cracked cam covers
🛠️ Diagnosis Steps
Clean top of engine and run — identify seeping cam cover
✅ Most Confirmed Fix
Cam cover gasket replacement both banks
89% of users confirm this fix worked (31 reports)
🔗 Other Mercedes-Benz W126 Faults
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