w202 c200 leak in automatic transmission [link to pictures] - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

noShame · #1 01-31-2007, 07:34 PM

Hi all! Have been reading for some time now but first time poster and freshly registered. Great forum, lots of great info!

I was hoping to get some help or at least a finger in the right direction. I have a ´98 c200 with a automatic transmission (the "newer" ones) and when I recently washed my car I thought I would tow it up and clean it under also. To my disappointment I saw that there has been leaking oil from the transmission so I would like to get it fixed asap and need your help.

Luckily I have not experienced any problems with it, it shifts easy, smooth and fast throughout all the gears and the kick down works fine. I don't think that I have heard any noises either and the fresh oil that comes out doesn't smell burned and has a red/brownish color (looks pretty good overall). So I have hopefully discovered the leak in time before the gearbox got hurt *cross fingers*.

I had a camera when I washed it and took some pictures before and after a quick wash. I couldn't take down the "pan" thingy because I didn't have any tools and it wouldn't do me any good since half of the oil is under there, right? I still hope that you can tell something (anything) from those pictures and guess where it could be located, are there any usual spots or is it not common that these trannys leak?

As you will see from the pictures there is a lot of oil there, the level inside is probably too low so I have garaged it until I figure out what to do (with your help) so I don't extend the risk/damage. I really appreciate any help and support, even a joke would be fine because I am pretty worried now!

Here are the pictures, didn't want to use the img tag because there are a lot of them covering every angle I could think of.

http://public.openmindedprojects.com/c200/

Thanks in advance,
Boris

Hirnbeiss · #2 02-01-2007, 06:42 AM

Lots of pictures, and I couldn't get to all of them, but my opinion is that it's engine oil, which always migrates backwards. There are also some green spots on the oil pan, which could be coolant (if you're using the wrong kind of coolant - it should be the orange MB type). Oil leaks are frequently troublesome to track down for exactly that reason - the oil gets blown all over the place.
Anyway, yes, MB's develop oil leaks. One of the favorite spots for older models is at the head gasket.

noShame · #3 02-01-2007, 02:41 PM

Thank you for your answer and help!

It is funny you should say that, and now when I look at the pattern of the oil (on the pictures before the wash) it makes sense. That beam in front of the transmission has blocked some parts of the transmission (that are oil free) and has some oil on it self.

The funny thing is that when I checked the oil level last time it was 2-3 mm over the max on the dipstick. So I thought that it is strange because I bought the car 2 months ago, and 1 month prior to that it had a service at a mercedes workshop. So there is no way that they would overfill the oil. Then I smelled the oil and I think that I can smell gasoline on the dipstick. Could it be that a injector or something is letting gasoline into the engine and that the engine oil combined with the gasoline makes the level too high and overflow somewhere, hence the leak? Since I discovered the gasoline smell I have only driven it when I absolutely had to because I believe that the oil inside has lost its lubricating function.

Checked the coolant level also and seems to be ok, but it is green to the color. Will change it asap to the mercedes orange you where talking about. Below are a couple of pictures that I took at the same time as those on the transmission, if you want to take a look.

http://public.openmindedprojects.com/c200engine/

If anybody else has a input that could be helpful I would appreciate if you would share it with me. Regardless if it is about the transmission or engine. Could it still be a leak at the transmission or is it pretty certain that it is leaking from the engine? (You guys have obviously seen these kinds of things and have more experience then me)

Kind regards,
Boris

Hirnbeiss · #4 02-01-2007, 08:44 PM

You can see oil at the front of the engine, so it definitely is at least partially motor oil. I didn't see anytinhg that looked like red ATF.
If you think the engne oil is contaminated, I would change it, but I wouldn't hesitate to drive it at this point.

whunter · #5 02-02-2007, 02:02 AM

ShopForum > General Discussion
Good MB Shops
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/good-mb-shops/

Have a great day.

noShame · #6 02-02-2007, 06:01 AM

Hirnbeiss: Yes I see the oil at the front of the engine and I agree that it is at least partially engine oil. I don't think that I have ever seen ATF so I don't know how red it actually is. I was planning to make a transmission fluid and filter change but since I have to buy a dipstick and thermometer it will cost me the same to leave it at a shop (Could just pour in exactly as much as I took out, but now that I don't know if it leaks that is not an option) and they can look for a potential leak at the same time.

whunter: That was a great tips, thanks! It's unfortune that I live in Sweden

Hirnbeiss · #7 02-02-2007, 06:06 AM

have gasoline in the oil. If you just suspect it, I would change the oil and monitor it. While leaking injectors could theoretically cause that, it's not something common, at least on the gas engines, and if it was leaking to the extent that it overcomes an oil leak and still causes level to rise, you probably already have engine damage, and it really ought to stink of gas.

Also, the green dots on your oil pan aren't coolant. They look like paint dots that someone marked on there.

Skol!

Hirnbeiss · #8 02-02-2007, 06:14 AM

You can get them online for around $30. And you don't need the thermometer to check the level, just get the coolant temp to 80C. The purist will scream, but then they never bothered to check on the coefficient of thermal expansion for ATF.
When you change the oil you can measure the temp, if it makews your day, but I will bet you Svenska Kroner that when the tranny reads 80, your coolant temp reads 80 too.

noShame · #9 02-05-2007, 05:30 AM

Hey thanks for your help Tom!

Been out of town so I didn't have access to internet for a couple of days. Will absolutely change the oil and possibly the filter and keep an eye on the oil level. Will see if I dare to change the ATF by myself and save a couple of kroner doing that, otherwise Ill let the shop take care of it.