Cause of a "wet" Aircleaner? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

warmblood58 · #1 03-21-2011, 09:03 PM

Does anyone know why my OM617 82 300 SD would have oil pooling in the bottom of the aircleaner? Is oil vapor not condensing properly and draining back into engine? Engine has over 360,000 miles on it, last compression test yielded high figures as I recall (6 months ago) Just did valve stem seals and now am considering turbo rebuild just because - any thoughts?

toomany MBZ · #2 03-21-2011, 09:23 PM

I don't think the turbo has anything to do with it.

Excessive blowby may be an issue.

SD Blue · #3 03-21-2011, 09:32 PM

The "best" solution to this problem is sealing around the top of the oil separator, inside the air cleaner. Remove the air cleaner, bend the tabs back and clean thoroughly with brake cleaner, etc. to help the RTV adhere. Reassemble, seal and reinstall.

I did this on mine and significantly cut down on oil in the air cleaner area. Also, make sure you have good o-rings and seal at the drain for the oil separator, below the air cleaner.

JHZR2 · #4 03-21-2011, 09:52 PM

I did not have a wet aircleaner, but some oil in the U-tube. Here is the DIY to seal up the separator. Should help you.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=295627

leathermang · #5 03-21-2011, 10:20 PM

Broken vacuum diaphram ?

warmblood58 · #6 03-21-2011, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Broken vacuum diaphram ?

but if the diaphragm was broken, I would have many other issues related to clima, trans shift, shutdown, etc, yes?

leathermang · #7 03-21-2011, 11:15 PM

Why don't you check to see if that line has oil in it... you have the car available to examine... I am just offering up guesses based on words on the screen...

vstech · #8 03-21-2011, 11:22 PM

82 should not have a vent line from the VP. 80 I think was the last year with it...

leathermang · #9 03-21-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

82 should not have a vent line from the VP. 80 I think was the last year with it...

Then that probably is not the problem.

winmutt · #10 03-22-2011, 10:05 AM

Its almost certainly the oil sep.

warmblood58 · #11 05-20-2011, 07:27 PM

OK, still have the problem and what I do not understand (I resealed all connections) is how this could be given that oil blowby travels up and out valve cover through tubing and then is dropped down into oil seperator which then drains back into sump, correct? This is a very simple circuit, I have poured a little fresh oil down drain tube and it certainly drains . . . . . driving me nuts! To refresh memories -when I remove air cleaner from air cleaner housing I see quite a bit of pooled oil in the bottom of the housing (1982 300sd) Any other theories? Thanks!

Diesel911 · #12 05-20-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Broken vacuum diaphram ?

His 82 300 SD has a Piston type Vacuum Pump; no Vacuum Diaphragm in it.

Diesel911 · #13 05-20-2011, 10:25 PM

If the Oil is coming from the Blowby this is what I did on a 300D to keep the Oil away from the Air Filter.
Washable Air Filter and Intake Mod , With Larger Breather
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=280376

If it is the Turbo Charger Compressor side that is leaking you will have Oil every where inside of the Compressor Housing of the Turbo charger and also in the area of the Intake Manifold Closest to the Turbocharger outlet.

Also Air Filter restrictions can cause Oil to be pulled out of the Turbocharger on the Compressor side (at lest it does that on Trucks); also if the Turbo Drain is restricted and causes the Oil is not draining out of the Turbo fast enough (I have also seen this happen on Trucks).

whunter · #14 05-21-2011, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

OK, still have the problem and what I do not understand (I resealed all connections) is how this could be given that oil blowby travels up and out valve cover through tubing and then is dropped down into oil seperator which then drains back into sump, correct? This is a very simple circuit, I have poured a little fresh oil down drain tube and it certainly drains . . . . . driving me nuts! To refresh memories -when I remove air cleaner from air cleaner housing I see quite a bit of pooled oil in the bottom of the housing (1982 300sd) Any other theories? Thanks!

The oil accumulator return tube has a check valve in the upper oil pan.

It could be plugged (fail to drain) or stuck open by sludge = blow back from the crankcase.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=2027980&postcount=19

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=2027984&postcount=20

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=2027986&postcount=21

.

otto huber · #15 05-21-2011, 02:38 AM

I had the same problem when I purchased my '81 300SD about 8 months ago. I upgraded from the round plastic tube that goes from the valve cover to the oil separator to the flat one that has baffles in it. I also sealed the separator with RTV black. The results were good, and even though the RTV black wasn't able to hold for more than 6 months, it was easy to clean off and do the job again.