Turned heater on first time, this morning oil on the drive.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

HuskyMan · #1 11-18-2014, 09:22 AM

The 1984 300DT has always had some oil leakage, not a lot though. Yesterday, I ran the heater for the first time this season. This morning there appears to be more oil than usual on the ground. I know I need to perform a thorough cleaning of the engine and perhaps use Ultra Violet light to locate the oil leaks. Right off, is there any chance running the heater could have caused more than normal leakage?

This is the stuff I'm considering using:

Amazon.com: Tracer Products TP34000601 UV Fluorescent Leak Detection Dye - Set of 6: Automotive

leathermang · #2 11-18-2014, 09:32 AM

Not that I can imagine....

Stretch · #3 11-18-2014, 01:43 PM

...I can imagine that if the oil is warmed indirectly by a block heater there is a chance that the more viscous oil moves a bit more easily up against a seal that "normally" when faced with oil of that temperature would also have a bit of oil pressure behind it.

This might make a difference.

As for leak detection I use brake cleaner to clean and bog roll to detect. Makes your car look like it has cut itself shaving but hey ho.

leathermang · #4 11-18-2014, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

...I can imagine that if the oil is warmed indirectly by a block heater .....

Stretch lives in Holland..... where there is a lot of excess imagination wafting around...
You have to determine where it is leaking from...
but it is more likely the situation , with regard to cold, has to do with the thermostat attached to the oil pump.....
and this is ONLY if it has anything to do with the cold weather AT ALL....

Stretch · #5 11-18-2014, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Stretch lives in Holland..... where there is a lot of excess imagination wafting around...

How would you know?

HuskyMan · #6 11-18-2014, 01:59 PM

Let's learn to play together, shall we? This part of the forum should be for co-jointly solving problems, not arguing.

That said, does brake fluid work well as an engine degreaser? What, exactly, is the bog roll method?

Stretch · #7 11-18-2014, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

...

That said, does brake fluid work well as an engine degreaser? What, exactly, is the bog roll method?

I find brake cleaner to be very selective - if you want paint or gunk to be removed it doesn't work. However, if you make a mistake the sodding stuff will always remove paint work. It is very untrustworthy stuff. The nicest stuff for degreasing these days is that water based engine de-greaser. Brake cleaner is quick but very expensive.

I use toilet paper (bog roll) to either rub onto pre-cleaned areas to see if new / fresh oil is coming from that part of the engine or to squish into areas and leave there for a bit.

I guess some people will get all in a bunch about potential fire hazards - so you have to use this wisely.

HuskyMan · #8 11-18-2014, 02:10 PM

Thank you for the information; there was another thread awhile back which had some great ideas for engine degreasing although it involved removal of the intake manifold. I guess I better get ready to roll up my sleeves and go to work.

leathermang · #9 11-18-2014, 03:59 PM

The cheapest best engine cleaner I know of is the bulk gallon of GUNK mixed with four gallons of kerosene..... works really well.....and is inexpensive...
here on the farm with tractors and stuff... other methods are too expensive...

leathermang · #10 11-18-2014, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

Let's learn to play together, shall we? This part of the forum should be for co-jointly solving problems, not arguing.......

OK HuskyMan, since you think my description was arguing instead of an accurate description of his statement ..... why don't you expand on the physics basis for his theory about block heater making the oil more likely to leak.... keeping in mind that the engine temperature is WAY less from a block heater than normal running temperature.. AND the fact that COLD oil temperature increases the viscosity .. which IS possibly a means to blowing out a gasket.... in some cars of the past starting the engine with cold oil could actually break the oil cooler....

Stretch · #11 11-19-2014, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

OK HuskyMan, since you think my description was arguing instead of an accurate description of his statement ..... why don't you expand on the physics basis for his theory about block heater making the oil more likely to leak.... keeping in mind that the engine temperature is WAY less from a block heater than normal running temperature.. AND the fact that COLD oil temperature increases the viscosity .. which IS possibly a means to blowing out a gasket.... in some cars of the past starting the engine with cold oil could actually break the oil cooler....

I think you need to go back and read post #3 to help you understand "the physics"

And you still haven't answered my question in post #5

HuskyMan · #12 11-19-2014, 10:28 AM

This morning, the oil showed slightly below the mid point on the dip stick. So I filled it up to just a notch under the full line. Yesterday, I cleaned the drive well with degreaser so this morning I could see what i was dealing with. This morning there were only three small drops of oil which appear to be coming from the extreme rear of the engine. I'll get the UV leak detecting system and clean the motor well and see what I can locate. I've never liked oil leaks of any kind but I also know that these 617s are known for it.

I used to have another W123 I spent around $1500 chasing oil leaks and even after that IT STILL LEAKED OIL!!!

Stretch · #13 11-20-2014, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

This morning, the oil showed slightly below the mid point on the dip stick. So I filled it up to just a notch under the full line. Yesterday, I cleaned the drive well with degreaser so this morning I could see what i was dealing with. This morning there were only three small drops of oil which appear to be coming from the extreme rear of the engine. I'll get the UV leak detecting system and clean the motor well and see what I can locate. I've never liked oil leaks of any kind but I also know that these 617s are known for it.

I used to have another W123 I spent around $1500 chasing oil leaks and even after that IT STILL LEAKED OIL!!!

What's the bog roll test say? Is it pink oil or black? ATF or engine oil? (Or something else?)

HuskyMan · #14 11-20-2014, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

What's the bog roll test say? Is it pink oil or black? ATF or engine oil? (Or something else?)

I'll perform the bog roll test this weekend, today I'm using the car so it will be difficult to perform the test. I'll post back here after I've performed the bog roll test. Have a great weekend!

mannys9130 · #15 11-20-2014, 05:21 PM

As you wad up the toilet paper and place it near the areas that leak, you have to pull your shirt over your head and insist everyone refer to you as "The Great Cornholio" and inquire whether they are threatening you or not.