Need oil leak suggestions

[tsiero]

My 1987 300 TD has an oil leak on the left side at the front of the engine.I replaced the front damper seal and that didn't solve the leaking problem. The oil is concentrated around the A/C compressor and below. Any ideas as to which seak or gasket it could be?

Thanks

Ted Sierocinski

[Johnhef]

vacuum pump gasket leak?

[wols0003]

Assuming left side means driver's side. Most likely the leak is comming from the oil filter housing gasket. I know the oil filter housing gasket is towards the rear of the engine, however the oil trickles towards the front, and drops towards the front. I had this leak on my 83 300sd and was prepared to replace the gasket. I read here on this great forum that simply tightening the bolts might fix the problem. It did fix the leak for me. I've read that the gasket replacement is a bit of a bear (tight and hard to reach).

However, if you are refuring to the passenger side, probably the turbo return seal (ooouuuuch). That job sucked so bad I can't even tell you. If it's the turbo return seal take it to an MB indie. Save yourself the massive headache.

[tsiero]

Is ther a flourescent die that can be added to the oil as a leak detector and show up under UV light?

Also thanks for those responses. I look into those sources.

[Pete Burton]

you don't need UV activated dye. Clean/degrease the engine thoroughly and you will find it.

[preston]

dose it have a turbo if it dose it sound like it might be the return tube leaking
from the turbo it cost me about $3.00 to fix