hotshot

Hello all,

I was under the car looking at a steering rack leak when I noticed that I've got quite a bit of what looks like engine oil that has leaked out of the back of the transmission/torque converter. Right around that rubber plug with the hole in it.

Anyone experienced this? I'm concerned I'm losing transmission fluid (and without a dipstick its a little hard to tell)

hotshot

Forgot to mention its an '09 GL320.

dgiturbo

Welcome to the turbo air inlet oil seal leak club. The oil you see just drains there but starts under the turbocharger air inlet. Known issue. Easy fix, and several people have engineered modifications to prevent it. Also, as the oil drips down to where you eventually see it, it usually damages the very expensive intake swirl motor just underneath the turbo inlet, causing limp home mode (no power) and a check engine light.

See this post in the W164 section..
Looks like you are still under warranty though.

hotshot

I had the seal fail last year.... I guess it could be the same thing again. Admittedly it did look similar. I just assumed it was something else this time. Well its at the dealership. No warranty though. Its at 65000 miles.

hotshot

Well... Not quite the same thing:
- power steering leak. control head needs replacing. cheap part, but 7 hours labor
- oil intercooler replacing. 14 hours labor.

Ouch!

43221B

I had the turbo air inlet seal leak about 4,000 miles ago and my 09 320 is in the shop right now for the oil inter-cooler. Fortunately, it's still under warranty. I have just under 50,000 miles on it.