Here is a great display of my ignorance:
What exactly is this thing, what does it look like?
I ask because I have a pool of oil on my manifold, all over under the air cleaner, and it aint the breather tube leaking.....
This beast has no turbo, if that matters.
Where could all this oil be coming from?

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

Well, on my '82 240D the Oil Separator is a cylindrical black plastic device - maybe a little bit bigger than a hockey puck. It's located towards the front of the engine, roughly between the valve cover and the air cleaner. The intent of the device is to vent off oily vapors and recover oil and pass the gasseous remainder into the air intake for burning. A pollution thing.

A hose leads out of the top of the valve cover, through a couple of elbows (which often leak and make a mess), and into the oil separator. There's a tube on the bottom of the oil separator that leads down presumably to the oil pan.

I too have oil leaks in that area, which build up a dirty, wet, black layer of crud. I replaced the elbow that comes out of the valve cover and that took care of a big part of it. Still need to replace the elbow closest to the oil separator, and I may need to look under the oil separator at the tube connection there. Chances are you'll have the same thing, and the same leaks.

Hope this helps you. Good luck!

- Patrick

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1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

Thanks for the tip, I will look this area over carefully when I powerwash the motor this weekend.
I do think something else is leaking big time in this area...
Anyone know which gaskets are under there?

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

In my experience (which is extremely limited) I have found the oil separator to be the device that is integral to the air cleaner that separates engine lubricant from the otherwise somewhat closed (closed being relative to the number of other leaks) system. The connection below the air cleaner has proven to be very effective at self separating and contributes to a substantial anti-corrosion coating of the passenger side block exterior.

As for gaskets I believe there is one (o-ring) at the aforementioned connection and another (a grommet maybe as opposed to a gasket) at the lower end of the lower tube which leads to the lower oil pan or a surface just above the lower oil pan.

I will know more in a few days as I am near to summoning the courage, time, parts, beverages neccessary to address these components on my car.

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

has a hose stuck to it. If you look at the top part that is flat, you will see to 'prongs' that are bent over to hold the lid on. These tend to loosen, which allows oil to spew all over the inside of the air cleaner.

The small holes in the bottom of the air cleaner cover allow for excess oil to be relieved.

The amount of oil leakage depends on basically 2 things,

1) how tight is the lid on the coffee can

2) how much blowby does the engine have


Another possibility exists, in the turbo;s oiling. There is a hose that moves oil, and these can get weak and leak too.

If your not sure where the leak is comming from, I suggest, after power washing, to strategically place some aluminum foil in between suspect leakers. Then depending upon what side of the foil has oil you can troubleshoot the leak. This also works for PS leaks, coolant leaks, fuel leaks. sometimes I use plastic wrap if it's not close to a heat source.

http://www.benzbonz.biz

Marty