thanks to all for the input.

the warranty has since expired . . . i wish that i bough additional warranty.

i am crossing my fingers and hoping that it is a spill from the last maintenance.

but my instinct tells me that it is not so i clean all the excess fluid and will re-examine to see if there is any new fluid appears in a couple of days.

i think that it would be best for me to have it examine by a certified mb dealer/technician.

woody