'83 240D Instrument cluster oil leak
 

Hi all,
I am new to this site but not new to mechanical things. My situation is my 1983 240D has an oil leak coming out of the instrument cluster. The oil tube going to the oil pressure gauge isn't leaking outside of the cluster. The oil is inside coming out the bottom of the cluster and traveling down the steering column onto the brake pedal. I haven't taken the cluster out yet. I have reached up and tightened the 10mm nut of the oil pipe going into the cluster but no luck. Does this pipe continue to the gauge? (Stupid question), but the reason I ask is that I want to order the right part, so does the oil pipe continue into the cluster or is there something inside the cluster that needs replacing?

Also, who do you all order parts from? I have a local Mercedes aficionado here in Taos, NM but would like to order direct from a parts place. I have used the Benz Bin and Mercedesource and one other I can't remember right now.

Thanks all, great site. Love to read all the posts,
Ted

Have not had a W123 dash apart, but the mechanical gauges used on pre 85's can and do get stress cracks in the bourdon tube. Sounds like this is your leak source. Might try to get a better one from a car in a junk yard. Be careful to use two wrenches when unhooking the gauge from the line and when reconnecting in your car. Also, do not start the engine with the line disconnected from the gauge!!!

That's a somewhat common problem. It happened to me not too long ago. Here was my post:
[URL=http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=128305[/URL]

Good Luck.

Scott

Look for an instrument cluster on Ebay or in a junk yard. I took the oil, water, and fuel part out of the new one I got which was from a 78 240D and everything worked fine on my 300D. The little cap thing in the middle of it is silver and the temp reads in F instead of C but it works fine.

This is the part you need:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ41M30PRTHL&year=1983&make=MB&model=240-D-002&category=All&part=Instrument+Cluster&appChassis=-306958

As you can see, they are expensive new. I got a good on for about $75 from a salvage yard.

If you have a wrecking yard any where near you should be able to pick up a couple of complete instrument panels for under $50.I bought one recently off eBay for $20 and have all the rest of the stuff for spars, Its an easy swap.

I got my used gauge for $12. Just shop around. Also, you can always just block off the line and not worry about the oil gauge.

Scott