Brakes and Oil don't mix!
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Joined: Apr 2004
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1986 190e
Brakes and Oil don't mix!
I own an '86 190e 2.3. A strange idiot light started coming on the other day. After investigating the message boards I believe it's the Brake Wear Sensor Light (a circle with dashes around the outside)....which makes sense since it comes on when I apply the brakes.
My question is I seem to be losing fluid from the back end of the car. Fluid levels under the hood are fine. I can't crawl under the car to get a really close look but it doesn't appear to be transmission fluid. It looks like it could be coming from a plug of some kind located before the rear end housing. The oil appears to be dark and the same texture as engine oil. Hope this all makes sense. It's gotta be a very slow leak since it isn't pooling on the garage floor, but appears to have been leaking for some time.
Anyone have any ideas, and if the brake sensor light and this leak could be related?
Thanks in advance.
My question is I seem to be losing fluid from the back end of the car. Fluid levels under the hood are fine. I can't crawl under the car to get a really close look but it doesn't appear to be transmission fluid. It looks like it could be coming from a plug of some kind located before the rear end housing. The oil appears to be dark and the same texture as engine oil. Hope this all makes sense. It's gotta be a very slow leak since it isn't pooling on the garage floor, but appears to have been leaking for some time.
Anyone have any ideas, and if the brake sensor light and this leak could be related?
Thanks in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,719
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From: Scottsdale, Arizonai
'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
Never overlook the power of coincidence.
The brake sensors only report wear in the front pads, so they can't have anything to do with fluid in the rear. As far as the rear is concerned, the only car fluids back there are 1) gas; 2) differential oil; 3) brake lines to the rear and 4) drain lines from the fuel filler neck (gas) and the drains in the trunk (water).
I would suggest you start by ruling out the easy stuff, like pulling the carpet and plastic wall panels in the trunk, taking out the spare tire and making sure are the round rubber drains in the trunk wells are clear. Then see if the gas overflow drain is not the source of the fluid. From there, move on to the differential, brake lines and the fuel pump/filter/accumulator area.
The brake sensors only report wear in the front pads, so they can't have anything to do with fluid in the rear. As far as the rear is concerned, the only car fluids back there are 1) gas; 2) differential oil; 3) brake lines to the rear and 4) drain lines from the fuel filler neck (gas) and the drains in the trunk (water).
I would suggest you start by ruling out the easy stuff, like pulling the carpet and plastic wall panels in the trunk, taking out the spare tire and making sure are the round rubber drains in the trunk wells are clear. Then see if the gas overflow drain is not the source of the fluid. From there, move on to the differential, brake lines and the fuel pump/filter/accumulator area.
