C-Class (W202) 1995-2000: C 200 CDI, C 220 CDI, C 270 CDI, C 180, C 200 K,C 230 K, C 220, C230, C 280

W202 C180 oil leak - front side of the engine

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Old Oct 2, 2021 | 12:59 PM
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W202 C180
W202 C180 oil leak - front side of the engine

Hello,

This is my first post on this forum, as I am trying to identify the origin of this oil leak. I have been through a lot of older threads regarding this issue but I was not able to tell if the issue is similar to others'.

So here are a few pictures I took. I haven't cleaned the spot yet but this sounds as my next step if I don't get any insight from people in this forum. Hopefully it's just a timing or valve cover gasket that needs replacement and not the head gasket that I've read in other threads.



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Old Oct 3, 2021 | 09:48 AM
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2000 C280
clean the area for sure, then monitor the area, that surely looks like an accumulation of oil/dirt. check coolant for oil, that would indicate head gasket problem
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Old Oct 3, 2021 | 09:50 AM
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W202 C180
Originally Posted by W202_NY
clean the area for sure, then monitor the area, that surely looks like an accumulation of oil/dirt. check coolant for oil, that would indicate head gasket problem
Thank you for replying, I will tackle this in the following days and report back.
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Old Oct 3, 2021 | 01:24 PM
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2000 C280
that area also houses the water pump, check underneath after driving if there are any leaks, or spots on the ground... good luck
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Old Oct 6, 2021 | 04:37 PM
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W202 C180
Update-it’s possibly coolant

Originally Posted by W202_NY
that area also houses the water pump, check underneath after driving if there are any leaks, or spots on the ground... good luck
No new pictures yet but I cleaned the area a bit, in order to check after driving.
Now, I didn’t get it 100% clean but it looks like there are a few drops of coolant right under the cylindrical part of the thermostat housing.

Is this a usual part where leakage is observed? If yes, what does usually fail? Is it the thermostat housing gasket?
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Old Oct 6, 2021 | 04:47 PM
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W202 C180
The drops were found where the red arrow points. There is a bolt under the accumulated dirt.
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Old Oct 6, 2021 | 04:59 PM
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2000 C280
the therm has a gasket, which fails. they're cheap enough to just to replace the therm, just 2 screws on some models. drain some fluid out, so the hose dont have any fluid, remove bolts, remove entire therm, clean area around housing area, make sure the gasket is in place correctly. install new therm, add more fluid as needed, leave over flow tank open, start car, high heat, low fan, check for leaks, allow air to escape for 10/15 mins. shut off engine, close cap, allow to cool down, check fluid level add in necessary. drive around, check for leaks, fluid level, monitor area again for any future leaks, plenty of video's on youtube on how to remove/install W202 therm
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Old Oct 12, 2021 | 02:41 PM
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W202 C180
Originally Posted by W202_NY
the therm has a gasket, which fails. they're cheap enough to just to replace the therm, just 2 screws on some models. drain some fluid out, so the hose dont have any fluid, remove bolts, remove entire therm, clean area around housing area, make sure the gasket is in place correctly. install new therm, add more fluid as needed, leave over flow tank open, start car, high heat, low fan, check for leaks, allow air to escape for 10/15 mins. shut off engine, close cap, allow to cool down, check fluid level add in necessary. drive around, check for leaks, fluid level, monitor area again for any future leaks, plenty of video's on youtube on how to remove/install W202 therm
I just replaced the thermostat housing to head O-ring. Hopefully this is the culprit. Tomorrow is the testing day.

Now, I read everywhere in the forum that Zerex G05 should be used. I found that the car was filled with blue coolant which I assume is G11?
I can’t find G05 anywhere in my country.Am I good to go if I use G11?

Thanks for all the help.
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Old Oct 12, 2021 | 03:33 PM
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2000 C280
zerex G05 is acceptable for the W202 ( I use it) rather them the MB stuff, cheaper and works. here is the US, its widely available. check google for other acceptable coolants, Im sure they are version in your area of the world
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Old Oct 13, 2021 | 04:45 AM
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W202 C180
Originally Posted by W202_NY
zerex G05 is acceptable for the W202 ( I use it) rather them the MB stuff, cheaper and works. here is the US, its widely available. check google for other acceptable coolants, Im sure they are version in your area of the world
Great, thanks. I filled the car up with G11 coolant. Ran it for around 15’, turned heat on and topped up after the trapped air got out. The temperature remained stable and no leak was observed so far. I will check again after driving the car but I believe that the issue has been resolved.

Thank you again!
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