ML270 2002 Australian 120K km's.
Noticed this dark stain next to park brake pedal.
Was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Feels dry to touch, no signs from above the stain to indicate what might be causing it.
Right hand drive vehicle.
Any suggestions.?

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I removed the lower cover to have a closer look and found what looks like brake fluid covering one of the wire looms directly above the stain. Anyone able to shed light on the possibility of brake fluid leaking in this area.... almost directly above where the foot operated park brake is located.
I think I might have to remove the front of the dash to get a better look.
How hard is this going to be... anyone else removed the dash front before.?
If it's not brake fluid, what else might it be.
Brake fluid level in the reservoir seems ok.
Brakes still work ok.
What do I remove brake fluid stain from carpet with...?
Advice... ?

On USA versions, the trans computer is located in the pedal area & trans fluid can migrate into that computer.

Other than that I would suspect brake fluid.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Checked under the car and found the electrical plug on the transmission wet with fluid.
My local mechanic confirmed the stain on the carpet was indeed transmission fluid.
I was surprised because I had already changed this plug in 2007 and thought that was the end of that problem... not so.
The plug has been superseded several times since 2007....
722.6 owners beware.
New plug on hand to go in, along with Fuchs Titan ATF 4000 fluid and new filter.
Found a supplier of Fuchs oil (about one fifth of the price of mercedes trans fluid, yet it's the same fluid - in a different bottle).
Hopefully this will fix it.

So transmission fluid will over time migrate thru a wiring harness to other parts of the car?? Like a wick I suppose.

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RIP: 80 300SD
RIP: 79 450SEL
2002 E430 4matic (212,000km)
2002 ML500 'sport'

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Yes...

Fuchs 4000 isn't the correct fluid for that trans... use Fuchs 3353 OR 4134 instead.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

According to Fuchs Australia website when I perform 'which vehicle - which Fuchs product' search facility, they recommend ATF 4000. (mine is ML270)
I also did a search for a different model with same transmission (ML500) and they recommend either ATF 3353 or ATF 4000 for ML500.
I've included the link I used.
http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/fuchs_au/default.asp
Now feeling slightly confused...

Same trans on all W163 ML's !

The Fuchs Type 4000 is a generic fluid that meets most of the specs for that trans.

Stick with the OE 3353 OR even better 4134.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Cancelled the Fuchs ATF 4000.
Found some genuine MB Transmission fluid 001 989 210 310 and plan on using that instead.
I assume it's suitable for my 722.6 transmission.

So transmission fluid will over time migrate thru a wiring harness to other parts of the car? Like a wick I suppose. Well with such a stain you may visit to
Carpet Cleaning Estimate guide you in cleaning the mess.