I took these photos to the prior mechanic, who said "No, not us. We know how to take that cover off of these cars." So who knows.

And please stop asking me what I've done to this car. I have had it for about a year, and have only put about 18k of the total 85k on it. We bought it in part becuase it had very low mileage for a car of this vintage. I have changed the oil conscientiously. It has had Valvoline max life in it twice, but that should not have done this to it in 6k. I bought it from a nice little old lady who is the mother of a close friend. She bought it used. Last time I'll do that.

We're sending the valve cover to a machine shop in Cocoa that used to do a lot of work for the local Mercedes dealership before he moved. The guy is apparently very good. If it can be welded and milled to lay flat again, we'll do that. If not, I'll probably trade it on something new.

The mechanic has advised against using JBWeld internally. He thinks that the heat and vibration would make it a temporary repair.