Okay, on the drive home today I developed a MASSIVE oil leak. I'm not talking about a few drips, oil was literally spraying everywhere.

I stopped at the grocery store and as I was walking towards the car I remember looking at the front of the car and seeing what I thought was a water puddle (looking back I'm sure it was oil). Then I get home and go walk around the back of the car and notice a black trail. I pop the hood and there is oil everywhere.

I put the car on jacks. I removed the air filter housing. I wiped down as much as I could and I did not see any obvious leaks. I checked the oil and it was barely on the stick. My original plan was to add oil, start the car to see where it was spraying from. But I figured there was enough oil in there to start and run it for a few seconds so I did.

Oil was being hurled up in the air by the fan. It was definitely coming from somewhere in the front of the engine but again nothing obvious. The oil cooler lines looked fine (this was my first guess).

Help, I'm at a loss. I guess I'm going to have to take it to a mechanic. This seems a little outside of my abilities.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice?

Front crankshaft seal?

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1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Automatic, A/C, Power Sunroof, Power Right Side Mirror
231K Miles FOR SALE MAKE OFFER

could it be your valve cover gasket? Vacuum pump gasket? Front crank seal (not sure if thats the technical term or not)?, Did you look at the fittings on the oil lines, and not just the rubber hoses?

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

Definitely not the valve cover gasket as it is coming from below that. I looked at the seals of the oil cooler lines and didnt' appear to be them.

It seems to be coming from somewhere on the front middle of the engine. Could be off to one side.

Now that I think about it I remember hearing some sort of hissing sound when I ran it for a few seconds and for a few seconds after I shut it off.

I don't know what the crank seal is. Is it where the top and bottom part of the motor housing meet? Would this seal cause oil to literally dump out?

I guess I should add that it has always had a minor leak in the year that I have owned it. Just never thought it was a big deal.

Any suggestions on how to pinpoint it?

If its the crank seal, you're not going to be happy...I think someone (ForcedInduction?) posted an excerpt from the FSM about replacing that seal which read 1) Remove engine. 2) Remove crankshaft.....

I'd see about taking the fan off so it isn't in the way and firing her up, seeing where oil gushes from that way.

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1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Automatic, A/C, Power Sunroof, Power Right Side Mirror
231K Miles FOR SALE MAKE OFFER

The crank seal is behind the crankshaft pulley.
Try running the engine without the oil filler cap on. This is to see if there is alot of blowby/crankcase pressure that is making the leak spray out like that.
I wasn't a diesel but my Father had a car with a Dodge inline 6 cylinder with worn out valve guides that put out so much blowby that it would push oil out from in between his oil pan gasket. If you removed the oil filler cap it releaved the pressure and stopped the leak.
Of course you cannot drive your car like that but it mignt help find out the cause of the leak. Maybe the blowby/crankcase pressure is high and pushing that oil out of a worn seal. Like on my Fathers car removing the oil fill cap would relieve any blowby/crankcase pressure.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

make sure your oil filler cap is on.... duh!

I had the same problem..I had forgotten to put the cap on.............

OIL EVERYWHERE

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81' 240d 4 spd 140k on the clock

Oil cooler?

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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

Diesel911,
There is a fair amount of blowby as there has been since I have owned it.
I will try taking off the cap and starting it to see what happens.

Bennett,
Oil cap is on.

bgkast,
There is no oil on the cooler, at least the amounts that would be let out to make that mess. It is definitely something directly on the engine.

New question.

Could it be something else, like a crack somewhere? I just don't see how a seal could be giving off so much oil.

If I take it to a shop, how much $$ are we talking about (assuming a front seal)?

When the turbo drain line grommet failed on our 300d, oil poured out surprisingly fast. Left a 12 in puddle after idling for 30 sec. in driveway.

I had my daughter start the car while I looked from front, underneath. Very obvious. I might have a little blowby with nearly 400k that helped pressurize the leak.

Good luck.

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83 300d - 390k

Okay, just went and started it with cap off. Still sprayed oil. This time I definitely heard a hiss. It sound like it was coming from the driver front side of the engine (although it was hard to pinpoint). I really don't want to just start throwing money at it without knowing what the problem is.

Thanks, I think I'm going to need it.

I suppose I will have to have someone start it while I'm looking under it. Taking the fan off would help too.

I don't see any mention of what kind of car this is, but assuming it's a 617, the front crank seal does not require engine removal.

The above instructions are for the rear seal.....

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Bob
'82 300D Petrol B-G Metallic