hi guys,

this is on my 1990 560SEC.
when i was at the mechanic last week, he said that my small oil leak was from a sender/level thing that could be changed when we drop the oil pan..?
I think the small leak is from the passenger side of the engine.

any idea what this might be ?

thinking of doing it myself.

thanks,
kevin

There is a light on your dash that tells you when you are low on oil (looks like an old fashioned oil can - the kind they used to use on locomotives until McCoy invented his oiler). This light gets its signal from the oil level sending unit that is indeed where you describe it. You do have to take off the oil pan to fix the leak. (don't forget to order a new oil pan gasket also)

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

i was just noticing the instructions for removing the oil pan on a 126 model..., it says the following:

remove refrigerant compressor with carrier and tension pulley without disconnecting the pipe assembly.

remove control linkage

remove oil dipstick guide tube

remove oil pump

unscrew oil pan upper part

unscrew both mounting bolts for engine mounts

loosen both engine shock absorbers at the bottom

disconnect fan shroud

lift engine with hoist until the oil pan can be removed..

wow man !!! is this for real ?

do you have to pull the dang engine just to get the oil pan off these things ?

kevin

Yes, pulling the engine is in fact necessary. The engine is in there tight and you won't be able to pull the pan off unless you lift the engine about 6 inches or so.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

kevinrea:
I think you are referring to the sending unit located at the lower oil pan. I believe it is an o-ring or a gasket that needs to be replaced. I did this on my 91 560SEL not too long ago. You need to drain the oil, remove the lower oil pan, and you will be able pull the sender unit from the inside. You will probably need to replace the lower oil pan gasket as well.

thanks emmydotnet

i think of my old mercedes as being like a harley davidson and leaving it mark..

its only natural to have a few oil leaks...

i do not allow oil leaks from any of my vehicles.

kevin