Fluid Leak behind Right Rear Wheel 83 500 SEC? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

CamelotShadow · #1 11-15-2008, 04:11 PM

Hi Guys,

Haven't been around in a while
Hope everyone & there Benzes are well.

Charging the battery last night
Started the car
Ran it in Park for a little while mostly in idle & a little at 1500 to 2000 rpm to get the fluids around the engine as I haven't used the car in a while.

Noticed a fluid wet spot under behind the right (pass) rear wheel area?
Looks fresh & I didn't notice it before & I have never had any leak there before.

Wondering what it could be?
brake line?
fuel filter?

Spot is over 1 foot long.
There appears to be a rubber overflow tube above the area that is near the what I think is the anti lock brake area.

I never used the brakes when I idled the engine & didn't move the car from park.

Curious what I should do
afraid to use car now if that is brake
may have to have it towed to repair?

Can't see where it came from but it does have a smell so maybe I'll bring the tissue over to a mechanics nose & he can smell is its gas or brakefluid or whatever is back there.

Any ideas?
Would it be dangerous to drive to a mechanic
Hoping its not anything major as I can't afford that now.

Thanks

jimandsuzy · #2 11-15-2008, 05:26 PM

My 85 380 se has the fuel pump/filter in that area. To test for brake fluid I would put newspapers or cardboard in the area and press hard on the brake then look for a wet spot. If none then I would start the car for a minute or 2 and look for wet spot. If neither, I would drive to a mech.

CamelotShadow · #3 11-15-2008, 07:44 PM

Thanks, that's an idea
I put cardboard last night & no leaks overnight
must have been when it was started yesterday & never touched the brake pedal.

Think it sorts of smells like gas
you don't think it could have been condensation from a warm pipe?
Still muffler is on other side but there could be a exhaust pipe in that area.
Still fluid smelled rather strong of some odor.

Picture of area

http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fuelfilterabsuf9.jpg

jimandsuzy · #4 11-15-2008, 10:18 PM

The hose in the pic is a water drain line from either the gas filler or the trunk seal. I don't think it was the exhaust because it is on the other side of the car. If the fluid is gas, it should evaporate after a day or so. If the stain stays the same then it's not gas. The only other fluid would be brake fluid. If the wheel brake was leaking when you parked the car it could have made the stain. Look at the inside of the tire to see if there's any fluid on it. If so then it's a brake caliper seal leaking. I would start up the car and look underneath for any sign of dripping in the area especially in the area of the fuel pump/filter around the hose bolts. They're just to the left of the hose in your pic. Also possible the stain was there before you parked and you didn't notice it.

jimandsuzy · #5 11-15-2008, 10:25 PM

As to driving, if it's a brake fluid leak, the car has two brake systems so that if one fails the other will work so that you can drive for repair. It can take longer to stop if that's the case so don't tailgate. If it's a fuel leak a spark could set the car on fire.

johnathan1 · #6 11-15-2008, 10:29 PM

It could be oil leaking from a torn axle boot as well...my 300D had this problem.

CamelotShadow · #7 11-15-2008, 11:24 PM

Water drain line on gas?
car sat few months
would gas get water & would it drain
dummy question
don't think its that simple.

No stains were ever in my parking places
I watch so its new
car was in park running
no brake
fluid doesn't appear to leak when car is not running so must be something to do with pressure while running in park.

Hope its not gas as it could be dangerous
Looked under the car couldn;t see any area that was wet above the stain
Wheel looked normal as far as I could see as I was under there trying to see if I could see any wet above the stain

Even that overflow tube felt dry.

Thanks again

Axle boot? not sure

May just bring the kleenex to the shop for a sniff & ask MR MB Motors in Tarzana...He'd be the one I';d have fix it anyway but just trying to figure out whether to drive it or not.

I'll peek again & I got to charge the battery more as I haven't driven the car in about 6 months or more so the gas is probably bit old

Jim B. · #8 11-16-2008, 06:04 AM

I think your fuel filter is leaking.

Yes, it could be dangerous if the gas catches on fire.

It is also costing you money when the gas is dripping like that, and putys your MPG down

The good news is that if you are lucky, it may only cost you about a dollar to fix it by replacing and tightening down the little bolt/screw that came loose, it that is what is was; it happened to me in the spring, the mechanic in Sacramento showed me where the fuel filters were and it only cost me about 2 dollars to fix, or maybe it was free, as he did an oil change for me at the same time, I think; and the part was about $0.75 (seventy five cents!)

Glad to have you back here again, it's been what - over a year?

CamelotShadow · #9 11-16-2008, 05:34 PM

Hi Jim,

Been really busy...

It did evaporate so likely it is gas
thought it smelled like gas.
See a rubber tubing that is damp in the area of the fuel filter
that the big horizontal cannister?
Can't get to the tube as its really under the car & I can't get my head into that area as the car is low
Thinking tube can't be too bad as you said tighten a clamp or replace hose...

It's one of these tubes pictured looks wet on top think the one with the asterisk have to recheck...are these gas?

pic of tubes

http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fuelfilterabsmo4.jpg
No leaks when car is not running but must be leaking when it is on.
Never noticed it before so maybe it is new but not good to be leaking gas

Wondering if that means I should have it towed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

I think your fuel filter is leaking.

Yes, it could be dangerous if the gas catches on fire.

It is also costing you money when the gas is dripping like that, and putys your MPG down

The good news is that if you are lucky, it may only cost you about a dollar to fix it by replacing and tightening down the little bolt/screw that came loose, it that is what is was; it happened to me in the spring, the mechanic in Sacramento showed me where the fuel filters were and it only cost me about 2 dollars to fix, or maybe it was free, as he did an oil change for me at the same time, I think; and the part was about $0.75 (seventy five cents!)

Glad to have you back here again, it's been what - over a year?

Chadahar · #10 11-16-2008, 08:24 PM

Glad to see you back with us...we've missed you!

I think you can tighten the connections on the hoses by the damper (the metal drum on the end of the fuel lines towards the center of the car). The damper appears to be stained in the area of the tubes. That looks like a gasoline stain. The tube by the X is , like was said gas over flow(from the body of the car , not the tank) near and below the gas cap to catch spills when fueling. It would only leak if gas were being forced out of the cap if you are idling.
Or like was said a water drain tube from under the rear window on that side.

I have just gone through this on my '84 Euro 500SEC trying to get it to pass smog. I have a leak in the gas tank area that will not hold pressure of the new Evaporative Functional Test. It's a bugger bear in that they introduce 1/2 lb of air pressure into the tank and it has to hold the pressure.

My car is going back to the shop to have a smike(leak) test to find what is leaking. then it'll p[ass smog as the engine part is showing great numbers to pass now that I have replaced all the vacuum lines, the 3/2 valve and got the EGR working.

Before I forget...How's the bird doing??

CamelotShadow · #11 11-16-2008, 09:27 PM

Hey, is that you Charlie?
You changed names but remembered Abigail
Too bad she's gone
but you got a SEC
Cool! glad you are getting a handle on it passing smog
My car has had a history of being hard to pass & will need to smog in June
Arrrghh

Thanks for asking
Bird is ok so far but worried about the air from the fires
Fires are maybe 15 20 miles away & the air has gotten acrid!
Birds are very sensitive to toxins & all sorts of crap from burning houses is in the air.
Sorry for those people who lost there houses but I am gladI live more in a fire safe concrete jungle

It's probably gas & I think its the tube with the arrow & asterik as I can see on the uooer side of the tube is wet/stained so its leaking from that area when the car is running & it seems to be alot as it was a 1 1/2 foot long stain so may be smart to tow it...arrgh always something
but maybe it was good I hae't been driving it as I wqas unaware of the leak I guess it may have evaporated before I saw it.

Not sure where the lines go & I have no way to get under the car to look or tighten. The car is low to the ground & will have to bring it or have it towed to Enrique in Tarzania

Smog is a real pain
Good luck
I;m not lookiing foward to that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadahar

Glad to see you back with us...we've missed you!

I think you can tighten the connections on the hoses by the damper (the metal drum on the end of the fuel lines towards the center of the car). The damper appears to be stained in the area of the tubes. That looks like a gasoline stain. The tube by the X is , like was said gas over flow(from the body of the car , not the tank) near and below the gas cap to catch spills when fueling. It would only leak if gas were being forced out of the cap if you are idling.
Or like was said a water drain tube from under the rear window on that side.

I have just gone through this on my '84 Euro 500SEC trying to get it to pass smog. I have a leak in the gas tank area that will not hold pressure of the new Evaporative Functional Test. It's a bugger bear in that they introduce 1/2 lb of air pressure into the tank and it has to hold the pressure.

My car is going back to the shop to have a smike(leak) test to find what is leaking. then it'll p[ass smog as the engine part is showing great numbers to pass now that I have replaced all the vacuum lines, the 3/2 valve and got the EGR working.

Before I forget...How's the bird doing??

Chadahar · #12 11-17-2008, 12:03 AM

OK I can tell you that the astris marked tube is the main gas line and the ? marked tube is the equalizer tube from the Accumulator to the fuel damper, it can leak as well.

Well From what I have learned about these Euro Cars, I'd replace all the gas line rubber connections and lines before a smog test then do a pre-test to determine IF you have a leak in those evap controls(1983 MAY NOT have had the same emissions added that my 1984 did as my car was imported in 1988). Could be also that your car will have a N/A type functional controls...meaning that it not testable. State says that the 1984 is not able to be tested and that is true, BUT...my car was federalized in 1988 and that crap was added to it.

Easy to tell. If you have an EGR valve on the driver's side manifold(little hat looking valve with a metal tube elbowing in front to the manifold and another one from the rear of the EGR valve that crosses over behund the valve cover and disappears into the intake manifold.

A picture of the driver's side exhaust manifold would tell us that story. I kinda think you don't have an EGR valve.

I wish you were closer, I'd just come over and jack the car up on that side, block it up, crawl under and tighten the connections. Then we'd see if that helped or not. It really looks like those hoses have never been replaced. I've been under mine more times since August than I'd like to admit. Under, over and inside under the Air metering plenum and the fuel distributor replacing the vacuum lines. Feel like I know this car intimately now.

CamelotShadow · #13 11-17-2008, 01:48 AM

I think I have a egr valve..I remember the hat thing
I hope that's not bad but suppose it is.
Think my car got imported rather early in its life
forget date
Think even in 83 84 they had there regulations esp in CA
think this has always been in CA.

Have to hope its not too $ & let Enrique look at.

The astris marked tube is the one I think was wet near the top as far as I could see.
Not whole tube so it must come out under pressure & is very slow with the car not running

I replaced as many vacum hoses I could get my hands on.
did pretty good but didn't go underneath anything just the ones accessible mainly the ones in the front of the engine.
replaced a few small tubes when I could but mostly the black rubber hoses.

It still starts right up if the battery is charged even after sitting.

I have that manual whatever it was you know the thing I couldn;t find on mine I forget its name its in front & controls idle..ICV.

Been a while since I had car out
now I got to deal with this & glad I saw it before some fire happened.

So you got 2 SEC's
Wow
low miles too well compared to mine

Glad you can do alot of the work...I tightened a PS clamp & fixed a leak at the hose but this is gas & I can't get to it & hopefully its a easy fix

Chadahar · #14 11-17-2008, 08:43 AM

The manual thing is the Air slide valve. Manual control for cold idle adjustment for summer and winter operation I believe.
My 1984 380SE was a CA. Emissions car and did NOT have an EGR valve. That started in 1985 I believe. If your car was imported before 1985 I bet you don't have one.

Sounds like the hose may be old and cracked from age and would just expand and leak under pressure.

Just look under the hood on the driver's side and the EGR if there will be visible with a vacuum line attached, (the vacuum line) is between and over the spark plug wire loom.

CamelotShadow · #15 11-18-2008, 05:44 PM

Do have the darn hat...I thought I did & thought it was the egr valve so more probs I guess.

The hose leaking is the one with the asteris & it is leaking from the top of the tube.

Its wet with car off but not dripping on floor

Have not ran it &looked as I am charging battery some more but last time I started it got a pretty big puddle spread over 1 foot long.

I started it today & hose got wet & some in pan but nothing dripped to ground today...so maybe it would be ok to drive to shop...?

I'll have to call Enrique & see what he says

Pic of top of rubber hose

http://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gasleaksx2.jpg

Hose has crack on bottom going thru more than half the thickness of the hose but is not leaking there. Would seen hose is very old & should be changed.