While waiting for parts for other things I figured I'd go back and work on the vac system...

The shutoff vavle works when connected on the car. Put the MityVac to it today at the check valve and it would not hold any vacuum. Is this correct or does this alone indicate an issue?

Went to look under the dash, and noticed *black oil* (that sure looks like engine oil) coming from the housing that holds the ignition switch/tumbler. The two halves of the housing were also slightly loose.

Where could the oil be coming from? It must be from the shutoff vavle on the IP...is this plausible?

My tumbler doesn't turn all the way to start maybe 1 out of every 5 times. I now realize that I need to replace this whole thing ASAP.

I've learned the tumbler must come from the dealer. The ingition housing must be expensive, is this something to grab from a yard? How can I test them?

Thanks!
dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

I think that's a sign that your shutoff valve needs servicing. Not sure though, others will chime in to correct me..

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Yep, your shutoff diaphragm at the rear of the injection pump has an internal tear. A search should give you all the info you need to replace it. Once you fix that you should clean out the vacuum lines too. The oil in them will cause leaks eventually.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

check your vacuum pump as well...

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Thanks for all of the quick responses...

I had this thought too. There's no oil in the brake booster line or any of the transmission lines down in this direction.

How can it still work while spewing oil at the ignition area?

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

It IS from your shutoff valve on the back of the IP.

Can't tell you how fast I found this link using the search function.....

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=126051&highlight=shutoff

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Thank you - defintely the shutoff valve replacement is well covered.

Does this mean certain death for the now oil rich lock cylinder (what is the part that the tumbler goes into officially called?)? Should I just replace it?

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

You've got two separate, unrelated issues.

The lock cylinder needs to be replaced immediately so that it doesn't get jammed and be unable to turn. If this happens, you're looking at $600. and/or a lot of heartache. So, get down to the dealer TODAY and order it.

The oil that penetrated the ignition switch probably won't do any damage to it, however, it it's excessive and creeps into the electrical portion of the switch, you may notice some problems. But, at the present time, assume the oil from the shutoff did not cause any issues with the switch. Just get that cylinder changed immediately. I can't stress this enough.

Another possible culprit - the oil pressure guage is bleeding. As matter of course I'd pull the instrument cluster to eliminate this possibility.

BTW, don't let this leak go on for any amount of time. It will send oil eventually throughout your whole vac system, and if left for long enough will eventually contaminate brake booster.
Also, the point about your key not turning is correct. Replace tumbler soon. (although I've been milking mine on the 240 for a few weeks now)
Don't think the line to the oil pressure gauge leaking would cause it to come out of ignition switch area, but it is always a good thing to look at.

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I bought a car that had been leaking at the OP guage. The dash channeled the oil straight to the center console and down *behind* the tunnel carpeting onto floorboards that were soaked all the way to the back seat. Carpets sponged it up. A real sloppy mess, the previous owner was an idiot - but at least he kept topping up the oil in the engine.

Great. Glad to hear I don't have to address the whole thing right now. Tumbler is on it's way ASAP, along with the shutoff valve. Ill scour the junkyards for the rest.

The oil is literally seeping out of the lock cylinder, so hopefully its not the oil gauge. I am going to pull the cluster at some point anyways.

Is it ok to flush the vac lines with non-Cl brake cleaner?

__________________
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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car