'98 ML320 oil leak - please help - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

krasuskyp · #1 10-22-2003, 03:30 PM

Wife's '98 ML320 with 70k has oil sprayed all over entire driver side of engine compartment. Oil level only appears 1/2 quart low. Visual inspection reveals nothing obvious, except what appears to be a 'breather line' that runs forward 18" from the front diff, up to a candycane shaped hose that just ends. Looks like should be connected to something, but hey what do I know.

ANYway... was also just reading of that harmonic balancer issue, yikes. Guess it's time to get to dealer and look. Will also ask about this power steering clamp issue I'm seeing posted, hadn't heard of either of these issues until coming back here...

Anyone have any likely areas to begin looking for leaks? I wiped up all the mess (suspension, spoiler, high, low, you name it, appears maybe belt / pulley flung it all over maybe?) and I hope to look again tonight for fresh wetness.

TIA.

azinn · #2 10-22-2003, 04:23 PM

I had an oil leak on my 430 fixed a couple weeks ago that was caused by a faulty Oil Quality Sensor. Total cost was $295.82 and was covered under factory warranty which expires in 350 miles. Tech discovered problem while truck was in shop for Harmonic Balancer replacement and other problems to be fixed before warranty end. Really didn't make the mess you describe, but hey who knows?

taslaka · #3 10-23-2003, 01:08 PM

My ML had been consuming excessive amounts of oil and I noticed that there was oil leakage around the two valve cover gaskets... Curiously enough, I had a blown gasket in February which my dealer then replaced, but yesterday they had to re-do them both. I keep wondering whether it is my driving that caused the problem again, or maybe the quality of the parts used, or just poor performance by my dealer?!...maybe all 3

jbrowning73 · #4 11-19-2003, 11:01 PM

Has the oil been changed recently to this leak, and or oil added? check to make sure the oil cap is on properly.

Gilly · #5 11-20-2003, 05:24 AM

Sounds like the power steering clamp failure to me. Check the 2 smaller hoses on the back side of the drivers side of the radiator, I bet the top one is popped off, at least partially.

Gilly

krasuskyp · #6 11-20-2003, 09:12 AM

Gents-

Thanks for all your responses. Brought it to Steeler as I wanted them to also give me their opinion of the infamous harmonic balancer (after I read all them horror stories posted here!). Oil leak turned out to be bad o-ring on the filter housing, $78 was the cheapest oil leak I've ever had! I'll take it...

On the HB, they inspected it, said it looked perfect (75k). Their standpoint on it, FWIW, is it's more a southern / hot state related failure, and unseen here in CT. IF it did fail, MB / dealer would cack up 1/3... I think that's what he said. That said, I think we'll swap it out come spring just in case.

Thanks again.

jbrowning73 · #7 11-21-2003, 07:22 PM

We have seen a few come apart here in Indiana, if it were mine I would feel better about replaceing it. I have seen front covers get damaged and tha is not a cheap fix.