oil in my inner drivers side wheel ???? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

spugeddy · #1 04-15-2008, 08:24 AM

WTF,

My coworker told me he saw a oil slick where I parked yesterday and it was around where my front drivers side tire was. When I got home I took off the tire and there was black oil ( I think it was oil, it was kinda watery though) in the inside of the wheel well. and at the bottom of the brake caliper ( a little). The brake hose looked ok with no signs of being wet, the top of the caliper was dry.

I did find some oil on the clinging to the bottom of my seized compressor (kinda a brownish color versus jet black) and some oil around my steering box seeping a little but nothing major.

It looked like the slick I left was about the size of a dollar bill folded in half.

I am extremely confused, but didn't get much time to look at it last night with the tire off. I took some pictures of the well area, but it wasn't really conclusive what was going on. I cleaned the wheel and put it back on , and sure enough when I arrived at work today there is oil back in the wheel well.

My shock looked like it wasn't wet, although it made a creaking sound when I was jacking up the front.

Help.... I will try to look at it longer tonight and report back....

Chad300tdt · #2 04-15-2008, 08:45 AM

Check your oil cooler lines. If there is any oil at the fittings or the rubber portions look wet, replace them quick. Worn hoses will drain the engine when they fail.

dannym · #3 04-15-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Check your oil cooler lines. If there is any oil at the fittings or the rubber portions look wet, replace them quick. Worn hoses will drain the engine when they fail.

X2
When was the last time you checked your oil level?

Did you look under the hood before taking the tire off?

If you can't find anything go to the nearest auto parts store and get some engine cleaner. Follow the directions and get everything under the hood cleaned up. Then you will have a better idea where it's coming from.

Danny

JimFreeh · #4 04-15-2008, 09:03 AM

Could be a number of things, or a combination.

First, check levels, then clean the area.

Pay close attention to the oil cooler lines, the oil cooler, the power sterring hoses, even the A/C hoses.

Once you have everything cleaned, dust some white powder (like foot powder, not the expensive kind of powder) around the area and that will wick up the oil at the leak, making it obvious.

Consider, also, that any oil leak will be above and ahead of the point you see it collect.

Jim

spugeddy · #5 04-15-2008, 04:58 PM

checked under hood first, and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Opened the POwer steering resevoir and the level was good. Engine oil level good, brake fluid no change....

My A/c doesn't work, due to seized compressor.

Also, are you talking about the oil cooler lines at the radiator / oil cooler area. or do you mean follow the line back to the rear of the car...

I checked this afternoon in the parking lot and the bottom section of the caliper has oil on it... I am going to take the tire off again when i get home today.

Bajaman · #6 04-15-2008, 05:20 PM

It sounds like your caliper is leaking and collecting brake dust making it black.

spugeddy · #7 04-15-2008, 10:37 PM

quote=Bajaman;1825511]It sounds like your caliper is leaking and
collecting brake dust making it black.[/quote]

yessss. i think you are correct sir. on closer inpspection it does look like brake fluid on the caliper, then it makes it way into the wheel and collects brake dust to make it look darker. It is the bottom half of the caliper only...

Does this mean I need a new caliper? If that is the case do I have to change both front?

Hatterasguy · #8 04-15-2008, 10:40 PM

If the brake fluid level hasn't changed than its not a caliper leak... If that much brake fluid leaked out the master cylinder should be dry, their is very little fluid in that brake line.

So the only other option is your oil cooler line, are the wet? Caked in 25 years worth of oil residue?

Don't let it blow, when they start leaking that bad you really shouldn't be driving the car...

Chad300tdt · #9 04-15-2008, 10:42 PM

If the caliper is leaking, they should be rebuilt or replaced in pairs.

spugeddy · #10 04-16-2008, 07:08 AM

I am pretty sure it is not oil... i looked at the oil cooler lines and they seem dry. I sprayed engine cleaner all over the place so I could get a better look today.

What is constant is the bottom half of the caliper is wet and the fluid is collecting in my inner wheel only...

I gotta think it is brake fluid, when the car is stopped it is leaking slowly....I think.....

I would probably lean towards getting new calipers, since I don't know the history, and am assuming it is a job I can do....

What is involved in rebuilt....

mobetta · #11 04-16-2008, 09:03 AM

avoid the cheap caedone remans from parts america- i have already had to re-do both sides, and I think one is leaking again............ saving money on this will cost more in the long run..........

I was on a time constraint, too, though- they had them next day. I may just go ahead and get a pair of rebuild kits, supposedly they have better parts than what had been used on the cardone jobs....

FWIW- IMO- YMMV,etc...if it is oily or wet on the inside of the wheel, it is brakes or a wheel oil seal. and since we dont have oil bath wheel bearings- it is brakes. I have never seen an engine oil leak on the inside of a tire like you describe.

spugeddy · #12 04-16-2008, 02:14 PM

I see a set of reman calipers for $99 plus $15 shipping..anyone bought these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250236728711&rd=1

********az has them for $140 after core charge refund.

The rebuild kit is only $16.... should I start with that and rule it out, and if it doesn't work, i have the upgraded seals?

tangofox007 · #13 04-16-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spugeddy

The rebuild kit is only $16.... should I start with that and rule it out, and if it doesn't work, i have the upgraded seals?

There is no way to know until you remove the pistons from the caliper and check for pitting, scoring and/or excessive rust. If the caliper will clean up okay, there is no reason not to proceed with the seal kit.

mobetta · #14 04-16-2008, 09:06 PM

I personally would go back to checker over those from ebay. at least when they fail, I can call down the street and they will have a new pair for me next day. also- they are MB original, just have crappy seals. so they could be overhauled. parts america has them for $55/ea. I brought in my old ones when the new arrived, and got my core then. I did have to pay $110+ core to order them the 1st time.

spugeddy · #15 04-19-2008, 09:13 PM

It looks like the seal is fouled up. I didn't remove the caliper off the car and mess with the piston, but I think I will plan to proceed with the repair kit first, then see it that will do it....

The cluprit side seal was pretty messed up with contamination, the other side of the same caliper looked better