MajorCommonFluid Leaks

Mercedes-Benz GLA: M270/M133 Petrol Lower Timing Cover Oil Leak

M270/M133 Petrol Lower Timing Cover Oil Leak is a common fluid leaks fault on the Mercedes-Benz GLA on the 2013–2019 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $500 to $2,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 21 documented faults on the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz GLA
Only on: AMG
Engine: 1.6L / 2.0L
Years: 2013–2019
Fuel: petrol
System: Fluid Leaks

This page covers the Mercedes-Benz GLA as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mercedes-Benz GLA faults21 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Timing chain yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The M270 2.0T and M133 AMG 2.0T petrol engines use RTV sealant rather than a conventional gasket to seal the lower timing cover. Heat cycling over time causes the sealant to shrink and crack, producing oil leaks at the front-lower engine face. Camshaft position sensor O-rings in the same region also weep oil and are frequently misidentified as timing cover leaks — the sensors are a considerably cheaper repair and must be ruled out first. A slow seep may be manageable short-term, but a steady drip can contaminate the serpentine belt and cause gradual oil level depletion, ultimately risking bearing damage. Timing chain stretch on the M270 also begins from approximately 80,000 km under standard service intervals.

What you would notice

Oil residue or dark staining visible at the front-bottom of the engine block
Burning oil smell from the engine bay after a run
Gradual oil level drop between scheduled services
Oily contamination on the serpentine or accessory drive belt

How to check it

Where to look. Front lower engine block, timing cover face and camshaft position sensor ports

With the engine warm, inspect the lower front of the engine below the timing cover for fresh oil weeping. Separately check both camshaft position sensors on the front engine face for O-ring seepage before assuming a full cover reseal is needed. Compare dipstick oil level against the last service invoice. On M270 engines above 80,000 km also listen for a faint cold-start chain rattle from the front of the engine.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$500 to $2,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has any oil leak from the front of the engine been investigated or repaired?”
“Has the serpentine belt been contaminated with oil and replaced?”
“How often has the oil required topping up between scheduled services?”

Now check the Mercedes-Benz GLA you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Mercedes-Benz GLA buyer questions

Is m270/m133 petrol lower timing cover oil leak serious on a Mercedes-Benz GLA?

We rate it major and common on the Mercedes-Benz GLA. The M270 2.0T and M133 AMG 2.0T petrol engines use RTV sealant rather than a conventional gasket to seal the lower timing cover. Heat cycling over time causes the sealant to shrink and crack, producing oil leaks at the front-lower engine face. Camshaft position sensor O-rings in the same region also weep oil and are frequently misidentified as timing cover leaks — the sensors are a considerably cheaper repair and must be ruled out first. A slow seep may be manageable short-term, but a steady drip can contaminate the serpentine belt and cause gradual oil level depletion, ultimately risking bearing damage. Timing chain stretch on the M270 also begins from approximately 80,000 km under standard service intervals.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mercedes-Benz GLA?

$500 to $2,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLA years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2013–2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.