Bad oil line connection? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 07-04-2016, 11:13 PM

This is on my 81 240d with 76k miles.

The lines otherwise look fine. Not sure why they would have ever had to be taken off (AC compressor job perhaps?).

Any recommendation on fixing this? They are wrench-snug. The rest of the engine is dry, other than some cleaned residue from a leaky pan gasket now replaced.

Recommendations?

Thanks!

Rogviler · #2 07-04-2016, 11:31 PM

I might actually suspect either the valve cover gasket or the gasket between the oil filter housing and block. The valve cover is an easy fix (beyond it just being the gasket itself leaking), while the filter housing gasket is a pain but doable, especially with two people.

Mine looked like that and it was the valve cover. Yours looks pretty clean though. I would start by cleaning everything really well and then see where the oil appears first.

-Rog

JHZR2 · #3 07-05-2016, 09:10 AM

So, I verified the block itself is dry, which removes the chance of VC. The oil filter to block gasket is also dry, as that was my first thought. But I'll probably try to decrease and try the baby powder trick.

I suspect it is the threads/joint weeping for whatever reason.

funola · #4 07-05-2016, 09:26 AM

Mine looked just like yours and it was the fittings that were leaking. I cleaned the area with environmental friendly terry cloth and elbow grease, instead of 2 cans of brake clean, which wouldn't get the tough dried up stuff anyway. By adding wheel bearing grease to the terry cloth to clean/polish has it looking like new. I then loosened the fittings and re-tightened them- no more leaks after that

JHZR2 · #5 07-05-2016, 10:07 AM

Yes, should have mentioned elbow grease too

I'm not one to blindly coat everything in solvent that I have to breathe...

But it is good for a final surface cleaning.

Any thoughts of a thread sealant on the threads?

Besides the smell, I can't imagine bearing grease is an easy cleaner to work with. Why not use oil or atf?

funola · #6 07-05-2016, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

Yes, should have mentioned elbow grease too

I'm not one to blindly coat everything in solvent that I have to breathe...

But it is good for a final surface cleaning.

Any thoughts of a thread sealant on the threads?

Besides the smell, I can't imagine bearing grease is an easy cleaner to work with. Why not use oil or atf?

The seal is via the ball flare on the fittings, not the threads. The only thing to put on the threads is anti-seize. Wheel bearing grease, oil all work great as a solvent/cleaner. I like the rags best when they are all black and grungy with abrasive dirt and grime, that's when they work the best. I use it to wipe everything external in the engine compartment and bring them back to a shine. I never use brake clean as a final cleaning. It takes off the layer which protects and allow rust to develop earlier.

Diesel911 · #7 07-06-2016, 05:05 PM

The fitting that screws into the Oil Filter Housing has a Crush Washer between it and the Filter Housing.

In order to get a wrench on the Fitting you may have to thin the head of the Wrench.

You could try putting the Wrench on the Fitting. Loosen the Oil Cooler Ling nut and once it is loose tighten the Fitting. Then keep the wrench on the Fitting and Tighten the Oil Cooler Hose Nut.

But, I think a more sure way would be a new Crush Washer with thread sealant on the threads (loctite).

t walgamuth · #8 07-06-2016, 08:52 PM

I also spied a line of oil going down the side of the oil filter cannister above the gunky place....perhaps there is a crack in the houseing....?