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#1
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On the way to work today, my oil pressure bottomed out for a few seconds. I immediately pulled into the first available 'wide spot' and checked the oil. The oil was 2 qts low and the last oil change was just 1200 miles ago.
While I was topping up the oil, I noticed a fresh spot of fluid(s) built up and flowing down from the rear cylinder's fuel entry point. The spot seems to be mostly diesel fuel but also contains some oil. Have I blown a seal or possible problem with the injector? I have never seen this type of problem. The car is idling smooth and ran the last 10 miles to work fine at 65mph. The temp was steady at 180-190F, and the oil pressure is normal after adding the 2qts that were low. Any insight would be appreciated. I have tools (enough to perform an engine overhaul) and a Napa across the street from my office just in case.... I still need to get home this evening! Thanks in advance, ------------------ William 76 240D (W115) - 550K miles 78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles |
#2
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William,
This one is interesting. Toward the end of the time that my son drove my 240D, he let it run out of oil, at least it wasn't showing on the stick, and as I recall it took two quarts to fill it up. I didn't see the oil pressure guage with engine running before I replaced the oil. He went off to college a few weeks later. The car sat outside for some two years and I put it back on the road. It ran fine for awhile, maybe 5 or 6 thousand miles, I'd have to look at the log book to know for sure. One morning I was screaming down the freeway and it started making lots of noise. I kicked it in neutral and coasted to the break down lane. When I tried to restart it, three cylinders would fire before locking up on the third. There was oil down the left rear of the engine. I got a parts car and robbed the engine to get it on the road. I have drug my feet about the exploratory surgery to find what was wrong. I expect that if adding the oil got everything running okay, you should be able to drive it home no problem. It would seem that driving it 'til it gives up would make more sense than doing exploratory surgery on an engine that is running fine. Let's be sure and share with each other what we ultimately find wrong, and compare notes. I would drive it home, and enjoy it as long as you can. Good luck, ------------------ Larry Bible '84 Euro 240D, 523K miles '88 300E 5 Speed '81 300D Daughter's Car Over 800,000 miles in Mercedes automobiles |
#3
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Larry,
I am going home in a couple of hours, and feel confident driving it. I took it for a long drive on my lunch break and it drove like always. The oil pressure is bouncing around the 30psi mark while idling at a stop light, but bounces right back to 45 (peg) when I give her a little pedal (no change in oil level and no leaks under her in the parking lot). I still have a wet spot of fuel running down the left rear of the engine and the fuel line is wet about 2 inches above the inlet housing. It is not flowing. Perhaps I have a clogged injector? Any-way, tomorrow is the weekend and I'll do a little exploratory. Hopefully, I'll find the problem before I get carried away and do an engine-ectomy. Just in case, I know where I can get a '75 240D for a donor motor ($500 for whole car). The body is almost dangerous, but the motor and tranny are in great shape. The car was last driven about 4 months ago and has only 187K on it. Hope I won't need it, but just in case.... I'll keep you posted on my findings. ------------------ William 76 240D (W115) - 550K miles 78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles [This message has been edited by WmHarlow (edited 08-25-2000).] |
#4
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William,
Sounds like the leaks you found are fuel. Check the plug in the rear injector, they commonly start leaking. If you don't find any oil leaks after you've repaired the fuel leaks, you may need to put valve stem seals in it. If the engine starts easy and runs good, and it is indeed using lots of oil, it is probably coming past the valves. If the rings get bad enough to pump oil, the engine usually will get very difficult to start as well. Good luck, ------------------ Larry Bible '84 Euro 240D, 523K miles '88 300E 5 Speed '81 300D Daughter's Car Over 800,000 miles in Mercedes automobiles |
#5
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Larry,
You are right. I did the exploratory today, and found my fuel leak in two places. One at the pump (gonna need a new one) and the other at the plug on the rear cylinder. The plug leak was only an ounce or two an hour leak, the pump was a steady flow which turned to an engine-soaking spray when under pressure (driving conditions). As far as the valve-stem seals go, I knew I was going to need them sooner or later. My oil burn is getting progressively worse over the past two years. The usual is about a quart between oil changes and the change always yields a quart lighter than the re-fill (in other words, NORMAL). I guess that since I am now doubling the burn, it is time to break down and change those seals. The good news is that my compression is good on all cylinders so I don't need to worry about rings yet. I am going to buy the donor car anyway. I could use the motor, trans, and other parts in the future (some now). I may as well buy the whole car for $500 now, or spend that same money on ONE Part from another one later. Thanks again, ------------------ William 76 240D (W115) - 550K miles 78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles |
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