Hey Guys,

I have a 1992 500E with 67,000 miles on the clock. A month or so ago I noticed it had been leaving small oil-like drips from the vicinity of the front driver-side engine area. The leak has grown in the last couple drivings and there is now a sizeable puddle. Not sure if it's coming from the front of the engine (seals?) or a line or what. The drips are blacker at the center and get lighter as the puddle expands.

Any suggestions of where to look/what it could be once I get in there with the trouble light?

Thanks in advance,
Kirk

Front of a 119 motor is sometimes a front crankshaft seal. The part is inexpensive and I think the labor is only a couple of hours. It's a tough DIY job however because it requires a huge amount of torque - tough to get it without a lift.

Would a crankshaft seal leak be in the center of the car? This leak seems to be more to the left of center, and maybe even back around the front wheel area...

Make sure it's not your power steering pump. They're notoriously leaky on this engine, but can be easily fixed with a new gasket kit.

Troy
1995 E420 93k

I also vote for the power steering pump. The 500E has the combination pump with the self leveling oil pump, and they tend to leak.

Rgds,
Chris W.

I wondered about that, too, but I was thinking it was perhaps just a leak from the hyrdaulic fluid reservoir. The car is also making a squealing sound at startup but it goes away after it warms up. Possibly related to pump leak?

Is this an easy DIY? What parts do I need?

Thanks again for all the help, guys.

Kirk

figure out what kind of fluid it is. put a white cloth or towel where it leaks. p/s and motor oil look different.

__________________
2005 Mercedes C230k sport sedan, 6 speed
1987 Porsche 924S - 968-engined track car

I say put a large square of aluminum foil or one of those large 3 X 3 flat metal oil catchers under the car. That way you will be better able to see the oil and pick it up with the fingers to examine

__________________
Regards,

Albert
aldedmon@yahoo.com

a little time consuming but there is a hose underneath the resovoir that is usually the problem in that situation. replace the hose and the clamps.

just my 2 pennies worth

I'm ready to replace this hose, the old one was leaking. I removed it by cutting it off. Now the trick is how does the new hose fit on? Not enough room, it seems like. Does the pump have to be dismounted, if so, how? Does the resovoir have to be dismounted, if so, how?

I'm sure I'm missing a bit of a trick here.

Thanks,
Doug
'92 500E (122Kmiles)

REF. NO. MBNA 46/03

DATE: May 1996

TO: ALL MERCEDES-BENZ PASSENGER CAR DEALERS

SUBJECT:
MODELS 124,129 AND 140 WITH ENGINE 119.970/971/972/974/975 REPLACING THE CONNECTING FEED HOSE BETWEEN THE FLUID RESERVOIR AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP

In the above listed models with engine 119 (LH-SFI), a common source of power steering fluid leakage has been determined to be the connecting feed hose between the power steering fluid reservoir and the pump. Refer to the procedure below to replace the hose on pumps manufactured by "ZF" or "Vickers/LUK".

Note :The length of the hose varies with the pump manufacturer. Refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) or Parts Microfiche for proper hose application based on the pump manufacturer.

Procedure

1. Extract power steering fluid from reservoir (35, Figure 1) using extracting hand pump - Special Tool 112 589 00 72 00.

2. Remove power steering fluid filter from inside of reservoir (35h, Figure 1).

3. Unscrew 2 bolts (not shown) from the side of the reservoir, fastening the bracket supporting the reservoir to the cylinder head.

4. Unscrew 4 bolts (35a, Figure 1) holding reservoir on its bracket from inside of the fluid reservoir and remove gasket (2g, Figure 1).

Note :The power steering fluid reservoir (35, Figure 2) is mounted on top of a support bracket (1a, Figure 2). The pump (1, Figure 2) is bolted to bottom of a support bracket.

5. Remove return line (not shown) attached to the back side of the fluid reservoir by unscrewing two bolts and remove O-ring.


loosen hose clamps (30c, Figure 3) on connecting hose.

7. Loosen and remove connecting pipe (30m, Figure 3) and aluminum washer.

8. Remove the connecting hose (30j, Figure 3).

9. Inspect power steering pump bracket near threaded area for connecting pipe (30m, Figure 3). If no evidence of porous casting exists, replace the connecting hose (30j, Figure 3) and hose clamps (30c, Figure 3). Do not tighten the clamps at this time.

Note :Install correct hose for respective power steering pump manufacturer. Refer to Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) for hose application based on pump manufacturer. Do not reuse washers, gaskets and O-rings. Replace them with new ones.

10. Replace aluminum washer and reinstall connecting pipe (30m, Figure 3). Tightening torque: 6 Nm.

11. Tighten the connecting hose clamps (30c, Figure 3). Tightening torque: 1.5 Nm.

11. Replace O-ring seal with a new one and reconnect fluid return line to the back side of the reservoir. Secure it with two bolts.

12. Replace gasket (2g, Figure 1) and reinstall power steering fluid reservoir (35, Figure 1) by bolting four 10 mm bolts (35a, Figure 1). Tightening torque: 8 Nm.

13. Attach the reservoir to the supporting bracket by bolting the bracket to the side of the fluid reservoir with two bolts.

14. Install power steering fluid filter (35h, Figure 1). Replace when applicable.

15. Replenish power steering fluid to factory level specification. Check for leaks and proper operation of the steering system.

Note :When performing any repairs on power steering hydraulic systems, maintain a high level of cleanliness. Refer to SMS - group 45 brown microfiche for any additional information.


Parts Information





Special Tools

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Russell McMahon
Tulsa, OK
2001 CLK 320
1992 400se
1993 400e
2000 320ML

Many thanks for the work instructions! I am stuck at #7. "Loosen and remove connecting pipe (30m, Figure 3) and aluminum washer". This appears to be about an 11 or 12mm allen key. I only have up to 10mm, so if I'm on the right track, I'm good. This is actually removing the pipe from what was the inside of the resovoir. Yes? I think I'll also need the correct seals to replace everything - don't want to do this again. Is there a seal kit or specific part numbers noted for this repair?
I have not figured out why it is necessary to get the bracket loose from the valve head. According to #3. "Unscrew 2 bolts (not shown) from the side of the reservoir, fastening the bracket supporting the reservoir to the cylinder head." I removed one allen bolt and a second that goes from the back of the valve head towards the front securing said braket, but I achieved no bracket movement. Any advice welcome.
Doug L (in NJ)

Reviving an old thread here. Thanks rsmcmahon for the instructions. I have taken everything apart, except I can't get the p/s fluid reservoir bracket off (procedure #3). I seem to be unable to locate one of the 2 bolts (got the left side bolt off). Can someone provide some insight as to where the other one is located? Thanks much.

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The bolt that is most difficult to locate and remove connects from the "back-side" of the power steering bracket. A small mirror will help to located the bolt.

__________________
Russell McMahon
Tulsa, OK
2001 CLK 320
1992 400se
1993 400e
2000 320ML

Thanks for the quick response, Russell. I can't for the life of me find the other bolt. I'll Paypal someone money who can post a picture of where it's located!

Is it behind here?