|
|
|
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Underside coated w/engine oil!
My 300D is my daily driver, probably put on 60 - 70 miles a day. I've had an oil leak for some time, it seems to come down, right behind the oil pan, and leaves a half-dollar to silver-dollar sized stain whenever I park for the day. I'm guessing it may be the seal between the transmission and the engine. Likely more than one leak. The valve cover gasket was recently replaced, so probably not the culprit.
Anyway, today, I got under the car and saw that WOW, much of the underbelly is pretty much coated with oily gunk. Even much of the exhaust. I guess that all helps protect from corrosion. Though not a rocket scientist, I'm assuming this is an effect of driving with an oil leak over time. My oil consumption doesn't seem too bad. Maybe a quart every 3k miles. So other than the mess on my asphalt driveway, how urgent is it to fix? If it is the main seal, I'm assuming $$ expensive labor. Thanks, Chuck
__________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar 1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid http://www.chuckwyatt.com http://www.wordimpressive.com |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Your assumption is correct. Most of the labor is involved in R&R the transmission. If you're only adding a quart every 3K miles, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure most of that quart is consumed by the engine and not leaked out. Have the bottom steam cleaned and then be on the lookout for your leak. Most of your mess could very well be what's left over from the leaky valve cover and not the rear main.
__________________
DJ 84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
We call that the automated underbody corrosion control system. That was a port installed option for several years.
Amazing how the wind spreads that oil all over. But a little bit goes a long way, and it is almost always much less oil than we think it is by just looking at the mess (under the car or on the driveway). You could also think of it as your continuous oil change system.
__________________
2009 VW TDI Jetta Sportwagon 172k miles (rear-ended harder than Elton John on 8/4/13. Total loss) 1991 Volvo 240 142k miles (T-boned by a stop sign runner. Total loss) |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
if the rear main seal has to be replaced, the crankshaft has to be dropped in addition to R&R of transmission. However, I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it's the rear main. The oil filter housing to block seal is notorious for leaking and it tends to drop oil in the same vicinity as would a rear main. Same with the valve cover gasket.
Take it to the car wash and bring along your ramps. Spray off topside and underside and keep a close eye on it afterwards to locate the leak.
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
I would make sure it isn't your oil cooler hoses, that could turn serious fast Take it to the car wash and "de grease", or not
__________________
1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K 1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild 1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K 1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor 2014 Kubota L3800 tractor 1964 VW bug "Lifes too short to drive a boring car" |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
You might want to have a look at your vapor hose where it connects to the valve cover. I replaced the little elbow piece, as well as the gasket for the oil filler cap. Did an oil cooler hose also. I still have an oil spot under the car, but at least it's a lot smaller than before.
__________________
Gil 2004 ML350 1984 300CD; Ivory (sold) |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Thanks all for great suggestions! I'll try the car wash with my ramps. Glad we own our driveway rather than rent.
__________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar 1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid http://www.chuckwyatt.com http://www.wordimpressive.com |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Never under estimate the VC gasket
I have one that is less then a year old and I know that is where my leak is and I can't seem to stop it. Remember 11 ft lbs torque in an "x" style. I am going to pull mine off this week and really try to get to the bottom of it. My driveway is the pits and my wife isn't happy.
__________________
Junqueyardjim Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis 1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA 2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage, Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it! |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Make sure the gasket did not dislodge when reinstalling, can be tricky. Some folks will put a coating of grease on the bottom of the cover, then the gasket to hold in place. If you pull it completely off, make sure there are no cracks around the bolt holes, I had to replace one because of that.
__________________
83 SD 84 CD |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
These cars are like Harleys, just marking their territory.
I always had a problem with the oil filter gasket, changed it twice and replaced the oil filter housing thinking maybe it was tweeked. hada leak at the back of the head. made sure the valve cover was was tight. even cleaned off the surface of the head with alcohol, or laquer thinner. also cleaned off the valve cover and the bottom of the gasket to make sure I had a good tight seal. still had a leak. I almost looked like I had a leak from the head gasket, or it could have been from the intake manifold gasket. But that eng. is gone now, so we will see how the new one plays out. When they leak on the asphalt, it`s just a seal coat . My Mom sure gets annoyed with the MB when just one little black drop gets on her snow white driveway. they drive Fords, I guess they never leak. Charlie
__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616... 1) Not much power 2) Even less power 3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast. 80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
I was thinking the same thing about the seal coat.
I'm sure the neighbors aren't amused either, if it isn't the motor oil on the driveway, I had a loose fuel sender on my veg tank and managed to drip some WVO up and down the street. Probably helps the asphalt as well, but it has the local dogs were licking the pavement!
__________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar 1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid http://www.chuckwyatt.com http://www.wordimpressive.com |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
You mean that it's NOT suppose to be there
__________________
81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD 82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride 82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown 83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too 84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD 85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project |
Bookmarks |
|
|