I have been working to eliminate my engine oil leaks. ('82 300D) I have replaced the front crankshaft seal, IP gasket, oil filter housing gaskets, and oil cooler lines.

But I still have engine oil dripping off the a/c compressor. Can't tell exactly where it originates. It's not the vacuum pump gasket. The worst area seems to be near the elongated compressor adjusting slot next to the upper oil pan. Just wondering if anyone has any insight as to what might be causing the leak.

did you degrease the engine?.. when you did the IP gasket did you have to remove the whole entire IP? if so tell me how hard was it

is the oil very black?

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Yes, I gunked it pretty good. The problem is that the a/c compressor and mounting bracket make it hard to see where the oil leak originates.

Replacing the IP gasket does require removing the IP. (Yes, the whole, entire thing. Too bad you can't just remove the front half!!) But that is not the half of it. Removing the IP requires removing the oil filter housing, which is really more difficult than removing the IP. But it was not really that hard. I wanted to do the oil cooler lines at the same time. But somehow my order for the cooler lines fell through a crack, so I put the old ones back on, then replaced the cooler lines later. The oil cooler line replacement was far easier than advertised. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, unless folks just refuse to jack up the engine and disconnect the engine mount and shock. That would make it more of a challenge.

As Tom W. asked, is the oil black? I think what he's getting at is the a/c compressor itself could be leaking. That's how mine went. How's your a/c charge? Paul.

__________________
1984 300CD red/blk 290,000 partial resto
1980 240D 4 sp Brn/palomino gone
1997 Mazda Miata STO edition wife's baby
1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC next resto
1986 Subaru GL wagon daily
1993 Isuzu pickup field beater
2008 Honda Civic EX-L 5sp wife's new car
1978 Honda XL350
1974 Honda XL70 my Calif. ride in HS

It's definitely engine oil.

Actually, It is possibleto get the IP out without removing the oil filter housing. It just ends up being more work in the end because of that back bolt and bracket.

If you didn't say you had already done the front main seal I would bet on that since it will sling any oil that leaks there on the compressor. Sure it isn't still leaking there?

__________________
1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

my 1984 W126 does the same thing, my front seal has not been done. i just got some lubro-moly engine saver (oil additive) to try. i may go with full synthetic next oil change. oil cooler lines are new, my vacuum pump rebuild kit is done, so this would not be it. could it be the seal under the power steering pump?

__________________
1993 Mercedes Benz 300D 2.5 205K (ex wife's)
1984 Mercedes Benz 300SD 320K (SOLD)
2004 Mercedes Benz C240 75K
1995 GMC Sierra 2WD 5.7L 188K
1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD 239K (SOLD)
1987 BMW 325i 220K (SOLD FOR SALVAGE)

609 Certification

The front seal is clean and dry.

No.

If it is on the AC compressor check your oil cooler hoses and connections as well as the actual oil cooler. With the wind blowing it will blow drips into the AC compressor.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

It's definitely not the oil cooler or hoses. I suppose that I am going to have to dismount the compressor and bracket to get a better look.

Mine had black oil dripping from the lower oil cooler hose. The whole lower left front of the engine compartment was grungy. The compressor was well oiled as was everything else down there. I was certain that the source of the leak was the lower oil cooler hose.

Well, guess what? It was PS fluid sweating through the low pressure PS hose. The PS fluid would pick up the black coloration as it mixed with the overall black grunge on everything in that area. Thing is, the PS hose itself never appeared damp. Sure fooled me, but, anyway, it's fixed now.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Does anyone know if the a/c compressor bracket mounting bolts penetate an oil gallery? If so, what is a good sealant to use on them?