84 300SD With Tranny Leak - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

meltedpanda · #1 01-13-2009, 02:26 PM

So I look under my trusty daily driver ( 190K) and notice a puddle of tranny fluid. get under her and cannot for the life of me figure where it is coming from. The usual places check out, hoses, pan gasket, but it is very "wet" under the tranny grate?? or so it seems. I have not done any work under there lately.
Ideas??

pawoSD · #2 01-13-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

So I look under my trusty daily driver ( 190K) and notice a puddle of tranny fluid. get under her and cannot for the life of me figure where it is coming from. The usual places check out, hoses, pan gasket, but it is very "wet" under the tranny grate?? or so it seems. I have not done any work under there lately.
Ideas??

Possibly the front pump seal has gone bad....thats where they usually leak from the most....

meltedpanda · #3 01-13-2009, 04:20 PM

oh boy that does not sound good. I think I wil give it a good cleaning and see exactly where it may be coming from
Is this job a DIYer?
Seems like a read it is not for the faint of heart!

123Guy · #4 01-13-2009, 04:30 PM

I have the same problem with my wife's '82 300SD, it was parked in the driveway for about a week and one day I noticed a puddle of trans fluid - seemed to be from somewhere forward because the underside of the engine had "blow back" oil of some kind on it. Same as you, I cleaned it all up, but can't find where the leak is. When I find it, I'll let you know.

rs899 · #5 01-13-2009, 06:13 PM

Concur- it is probably the front pump seal. Its a huge o-ring bigger than a large grapefruit. Sure- this is a DIY job by itself. You have the pull the tranny out, pull the front half of the case off, get to the pump and change the seal. Problem is, while you are in there, what else do you want to fix...?

Rick

meltedpanda · #6 01-14-2009, 06:30 PM

so the engine comes out?
I think I know the answer to this, any additives ( cough cough) that might help

oldsinner111 · #7 01-14-2009, 06:43 PM

Leave the trans and engine,and raise the car 5 feet.

meltedpanda · #8 01-14-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

Leave the trans and engine,and raise the car 5 feet.

ummm, just what do you mean

turbobenz · #9 01-14-2009, 10:40 PM

it could be a ps leak

meltedpanda · #10 01-15-2009, 08:02 AM

Thanks, was my hope, already checked, and was not the issue

rs899 · #11 01-15-2009, 10:58 AM

I think he means raise the car and pull the tranny out the bottom leaving the engine. That's the textbook approach on a W123, unless you have an engine issue that requires that it be pulled as well.

I know of nothing that will seal that leak. How bad is it? I had been watchfully waiting on the one on the 300D for 5 years (adding fluid) , but it is getting worse now. Hope I didn't jinx you mentioning that I was looking for a front pump for my rebuild.

Rick

tyl604 · #12 01-15-2009, 12:23 PM

FWIW my '81 300SD has had a slight tranny leak for at least five years. I just drive it until it starts to shift funny from first to second and then I add some transmission fluid w/stop leak. Then it again shifts perfectly for at least six months.

blackestate · #13 01-15-2009, 04:04 PM

mine had this issue, and last check before pulling it, I found the o-ring for the dipstick was leaking.
It was much worse when nose down overnight than when nose up.

meltedpanda · #14 01-16-2009, 10:58 AM

all great points, and I thought the same thing Rick, here I was trying to help you with a front pump leak and now mine is leaking

I am checking it now over the next few days. it leaks but it seems to have slowed a bit. Could be the cold

I am going to try and clean it up and see exactly where it is coming from ,and for now just pop fluid in as needed.
I will keep you all posted