126 Diesel leaking oil

Hi all! I have a '82 300SD that keeps leaking oil. I've heard that all diesels leak some oil, but is there any way to get it to stop leaking? I normal mechanic has tried several times to fix this leak but has been unsuccessful (he isn't a MB mechanic though) and said that it's just the nature of the diesel to leak. Any suggestions? All those black spots are ruining my driveway! Thanks in advance.

[Benzmac]

You can slow them down. You will have to go to a good MB tech. The other thing is that there is a belly pan for the later 126's...This might retrofit and keep the driveway clean.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

[TCCBass]

I had the crankshaft seal replaced (actually for the second time in 3 months, in addition to a new harmonic balancer, bolt, and pins) as well as the seal between the oil filter and the block, and my diesel with 206K miles doesn't leave a spot on our white concrete driveway. Before the crankshaft seal was replaced, it looked like the Exxon Valdez spill. Take the car to a MB mechanic...and make him give you a guarantee when you have the crankshaft seal replaced. Over $700 later, I wished I hadn't been a cheapskate and had the repair done locally. You may not be able to eliminate ALL of the leaks, but people you visit won't call and complain about your car leaking. Good luck!!

Robert

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R Talley
84 300D-T

IceCreaMan,

I am assuming that the chronic leak you are referring to is the crankcase ventilation system leaking via the oil seperator in the air cleaner. This is definitely difficult to permanently fix. I'm struggling right now with my daughters 300D.

But what I really want to comment about is someone making a blanket statement saying that all diesels leak. I think that is a totally absurd thing for your mechanic to say. I wonder if he's trying to dodge something. Yes, there is a problem with the vent system on the five cylinders, but I've operated diesel tractors, Dodge Cummins and Mercedes Benz diesels and NEVER had ANY leaks except the vent on the 300D and the rear main seal on my 240D after 380,000 miles, otherwise NOT A DROP. I would be suspect of an automotive professional that made a statement that "all diesels leak".

BTW, there is a post of about a month ago regarding leaking drip tube. In that post someone mentioned an udpate to the oil baffle inside the valve cover on a 5 cylinder. I have yet to do this, and I will post the results when I do.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles