I took apart the air intake assembley today to get at the spark plugs and noticed oil in the air intake, in the metal part shown in the picture where air enters the engine. Enough oil was there to wet a paper towel. I reassembled the intake later and saw that the plastic boot coming off the metal thing didn't line up right with the incoming air duct thing, it looks like it has been warped or melted or something. From the looks of it, unfiltered air might have been able to enter the engine from where the boot doesn't line up with the air duct. And below this warped boot is evidence of a slight oil leak. I'm installing a new boot tomorrow which should fix all this. But my question is -- is this normal, to have oil in the air intake like I do?? Could this have done damage to my engine?

BTW this is a '94 C220.

 

And this is the part that is warped (the plastic piece with two metal rings on it between the plastic air duct and the metal part). Before today the warped, shrunken part was on the bottom (now it's on top), facing the engine which is why I think it might have melted a little from engine heat.

 

Mine had a little oil in it too but the warping is definately not normal.

 

I had the exact same problem with my 94 c220...except i didn't have that much oil. The dealer replaced the hose and the clamp and its been fine ever since. You may be able to go to buy the part u'rself and just throw it on there to save labor.

 

I'm definitely NOT going to the dealership anymore for anything. I've had enough of their attitude. The boot is $10 at a local auto parts store and I'm putting it in myself tomorrow.

It makes sense I guess that there would be a little oil in there, it looks like there are some moving parts in the metal thing and they would need to be lubed. But then wouldn't the oil get pulled into the engine and burn up? I'm sure mercedes has figured it out ... if others have the same thing then I'm not worried.

 

isnt that "metal thing" your throttle body? i think it is normal for a little oil to mist into that area from your motor through the upper intake manifold and head. i wouldnt worry about it much. just get that plastic/rubber connector changed and you should be gravy.