Oil leak - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 11-28-2002, 02:18 PM

I have noticed that if I drive my 380SL ('86 560 engine) around for maybe an hour or so and come home there is a small oil drip on driveway. I have not been to worried about this until this week when I drove for about 150 miles at highway speeds and when I got home later on I noticed a large spot of oil about 8 inches in dia. Any suggestions as to why the difference and what it could be?

Thanks much.

ILUVMILS · #2 11-28-2002, 05:20 PM

Why the difference? Easy. The leak's getting worse! What could it be? Oil cap loose? Valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, Front/rear crankshaft seal, etc. Have it fixed before the underside of the car is covered in oil from bumper to bumper. By the way, are you sure it's oil that's leaking? Could it be ATF? I'm sure everyone here would like to help, but could you provide a little more info?

#3 11-28-2002, 06:52 PM

Thanks for the reply. Sorry if not enough info. Today I drove for about 25 miles and home and I have the small spot of oil. Yes it is oil, not ATF. It has always been the small spot except the longer drive mentioned in previous mail. Just wanting ideas and opinions before I decide to do something.

Thanks

MikeTangas · #4 11-29-2002, 12:35 AM

Bobby,

Best advice I can give you is to thouroughly clean and degrease the engine and underside of the car. You'll need it to be clean so you can try to determine the origin of the leak - very likely valve cover seals but could be at any joint.

Why a bigger puddle after a long drive? Well, if it leaked at its normal rate, but for a longer period of time the oil could very well pool somewhere, and then drip for a longer period when you stop, leaving the large spot on the driveway.

Use several peices of news paper or sheet of cardboard under the car to try and help locate exactly where the oil is dripping from. Sometimes helps to know this when trying to backtrack the oil.

#5 11-29-2002, 10:02 AM

Thanks Mike,

Hope that you guys had a great Thanksgiving.

Bobby

#6 11-29-2002, 12:30 PM

I agree with Mike and if that doesn't narrow it down enough you can always "take it in" and have the tech run some colored dye through it.

My 560 drips oil at what appears to be the rear main seal, though it's not dependent on how long it's been driven and isn't a signifigant amount. Of course, this could change in another 30k miles.