red fluid leaking from my car - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

hedpe · #16 05-14-2003, 01:05 PM

Alright I jumped the car, it's up and running again.

I checked the tranny fluid level. It's practically dry. It's below both marks on the dip stick, by quite a bit.

I checked where the tranny is mounted to the back of the engine and i didn't see any leaks there from the naked eye...help help help

-fad · #17 05-14-2003, 01:23 PM

before driving the car to your tech for a prof diagnosis suggest filling the trans to the appropriate level with correct trans fluid

if you yourself are unable to source the (supposed) leak by mere observation ...it naturally follows that the repair itself will most likely require a tech's attention

good luck and hope this helps
-fad

MikeTangas · #18 05-14-2003, 01:37 PM

Cold, the fluid level should be approximately 10mm below the low mark. That should get you pretty close.

First I was gonna be funny and comment on the steep sideways incline your garage has

, then thought better of it. Have you botommed out recently? Has anyone, including you, added any ATF?

I can't tell if that is a dent at the corner of the pan or just the way the road grime appears. A gently botoming out could leave minimal damage to the pan while cutting the soft rubber seal. Also, if the tranny was overfilled, you would have fluid flowing out of the vent, which I think comes off the right side.

hedpe · #19 05-14-2003, 02:22 PM

I let the engine idle for 5 minutes before checking the fluid level. The instructions in the car manual said let it idle for a few minutes and then check. It was below both marks after checking on a 5 minute idle.

What should i do next? I don't want to drive it for 20 minutes when theres a problem. I have an appointment with the tech monday, but what else can i do until then to try and find this problem?

jsmith · #20 05-14-2003, 02:33 PM

when cold, the tranny fluid level will be below the marks because those are meant to be checked when the car is good and hot. some dipsticks have more than two marks, with additional marks for room temperature. the normal operating temp level is supposed to be checked when the engine is well warmed up, say after a 20 minute drive. the amount of fluid between the high and low marks is very small - so be careful not to overfill.

hedpe · #21 05-14-2003, 08:21 PM

no other suggestions on how to locate the source of the leaking?

jsmith · #22 05-14-2003, 08:51 PM

when your mechanic gets it up on the lift he is going to clean out the underside to see where it's leaking, probably by using some brake cleaner and compressed air. once it's clean the source will become apparent. you can do the same thing if you can't wait...

joel · #23 05-14-2003, 09:10 PM

i am positive this is your problem, like mine before:

ATF Ozzing Out

hedpe · #24 05-15-2003, 01:23 AM

Hmmm...where is the tranny sump and where i can find the o-ring exactly. I'm completely tranny illiterate. If you have pics post them if you can. Thanks man.

Is this something I can do or is this something that the tranny is going to have to be removed and work done?

hedpe · #25 05-15-2003, 09:25 PM

Trying to re-surface this...where is the tranny sump and the o-ring located that joel is talking about?

95E320cab · #26 05-15-2003, 09:39 PM

Joel:

I am tranny challenged, too. Since you can't seem to locate the source of the leak, it appears to be more "internal" or within the inner bowels of the vehicle. I say when it comes to the tranny, a vital organ, take it to a car doctor. I checked for a AT protection switch for your car. I don't think it has one.

I'll put a band-aid on a cut, even self medicate from time to time, but I'm not trained for neuro-surgery, especially on myself. Take her in before you really screw yourself.

There, I said it.

joel · #27 05-16-2003, 12:02 AM

okay dudes, the o-ring is located just above the tranny
sump on the passenger side. it is like a big rivet. you can't
miss it!! crawl under the car. you can also see it from
the engine compartment just throw in the trouble light
underneath the sump.

well, the tranny sump is right up the middle of the
car (underneath), you will see a small drain plug towards the rear
of the sump.

btw, like i said in the previous thread, this was done
by my mechanic. good luck & cheers.

hedpe · #28 05-16-2003, 12:55 AM

The only thing is, is the car safe to drive about 40 miles on monday. That's a week after the leak started, and where we're taking it is 40 miles away. Will it make it without damaging the tranny?

joel · #29 05-16-2003, 01:32 AM

i'd call a tow truck if i were you.

tunk · #30 05-16-2003, 07:42 AM

I'm with Joel, Don't drive it 40 miles if it is leaking badly. If it's just a drip that accumulates about an once a day or something, enough to get a noticable spot... well maybe you could, but is it worth it when you have free towing? that's why you have that AAA gold membership remember?

cdt