Oh no, look what I found last night!
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Oh no, look what I found last night!
So, last night when I got home from work I decided to change the oil on my 07. It had the factory fill and 5800 miles, so I thought it would be a good idea to get all the break-in metals out of there, and the oil looked pretty spent. Since it was the factory fill, I decided it would probably be better to drain the oil via the drain plug the first time to get rid of all the metals and contaminates at the bottom of the pan. So, I pulled the 2 under engine covers and was not happy at what I saw. There was fluid dripping off a couple of wire harnesses, and the transmission pan, bellhousing, and engine cover had a light coating of oil and dust. It appears the transmission is seeping oil around the pan gasket. Here are some pics:
Here you can see the discoloration on the transmission bellhousing.
Here you can see oil dripping off the wiring harness on the lower part of the pic.
Here is a pic of the front part of the transmission pan, and you can see the light seeping and oil and dirt coating on the pan.
And here you can see the oil coating the engine cover.
What color is the transmission fluid in this car? The oil appears to be amber colored like engine oil, but is clearly coming from the transmission.
I am going to schedule an appointment at the dealer to fix this. The point I wanted to make, is if you never pull the engine covers, and have a leak like mine, you'll NEVER know.
Here you can see the discoloration on the transmission bellhousing.
Here you can see oil dripping off the wiring harness on the lower part of the pic.
Here is a pic of the front part of the transmission pan, and you can see the light seeping and oil and dirt coating on the pan.
And here you can see the oil coating the engine cover.
What color is the transmission fluid in this car? The oil appears to be amber colored like engine oil, but is clearly coming from the transmission.
I am going to schedule an appointment at the dealer to fix this. The point I wanted to make, is if you never pull the engine covers, and have a leak like mine, you'll NEVER know.
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From: Vancouver, Canada
03' E39 M5, 10' CLS63 AMG
Sorry to say i would not agree with anyone if they crack the seal on the drain plug to change the oil. The history of cars have show that over time the biggest reason for oil leaks in car have been caused by the drain plug in the oil pan. Thus if a Mercedes is serviced at the dealer they will never crack the drain plug for the life of ur car.
And i have first hand see the difference between topside drain and plug drain, using the topside drain u don't leave any oil in the car there is less then a table spoon of oil left in the car after using a topside (vacuum) to drain the oil of the car. So its not better to crack the drain plug. i would highly recommend anyone want to change there own oil get the topside drain, and use that to change the oil in you Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche.
I would agree to the fact that the topside drain will now work on honda or other domestic cars because the dipstick area is not set up properly to allow the the suction pip from a topside drain system to reach the bottom of the pan, where the Mercedes, BMW, Porsche are set up in a way that the dipstick reach the bottom of the pan. so using a topside drain can work efficiently.
And i have first hand see the difference between topside drain and plug drain, using the topside drain u don't leave any oil in the car there is less then a table spoon of oil left in the car after using a topside (vacuum) to drain the oil of the car. So its not better to crack the drain plug. i would highly recommend anyone want to change there own oil get the topside drain, and use that to change the oil in you Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche.
I would agree to the fact that the topside drain will now work on honda or other domestic cars because the dipstick area is not set up properly to allow the the suction pip from a topside drain system to reach the bottom of the pan, where the Mercedes, BMW, Porsche are set up in a way that the dipstick reach the bottom of the pan. so using a topside drain can work efficiently.
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From: Pasadena, CA
2002 C230K, 2013 BMW 328, 2015 BMW X5
Sorry to say i would not agree with anyone if they crack the seal on the drain plug to change the oil. The history of cars have show that over time the biggest reason for oil leaks in car have been caused by the drain plug in the oil pan. Thus if a Mercedes is serviced at the dealer they will never crack the drain plug for the life of ur car.
And i have first hand see the difference between topside drain and plug drain, using the topside drain u don't leave any oil in the car there is less then a table spoon of oil left in the car after using a topside (vacuum) to drain the oil of the car. So its not better to crack the drain plug. i would highly recommend anyone want to change there own oil get the topside drain, and use that to change the oil in you Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche.
I would agree to the fact that the topside drain will now work on honda or other domestic cars because the dipstick area is not set up properly to allow the the suction pip from a topside drain system to reach the bottom of the pan, where the Mercedes, BMW, Porsche are set up in a way that the dipstick reach the bottom of the pan. so using a topside drain can work efficiently.
And i have first hand see the difference between topside drain and plug drain, using the topside drain u don't leave any oil in the car there is less then a table spoon of oil left in the car after using a topside (vacuum) to drain the oil of the car. So its not better to crack the drain plug. i would highly recommend anyone want to change there own oil get the topside drain, and use that to change the oil in you Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche.
I would agree to the fact that the topside drain will now work on honda or other domestic cars because the dipstick area is not set up properly to allow the the suction pip from a topside drain system to reach the bottom of the pan, where the Mercedes, BMW, Porsche are set up in a way that the dipstick reach the bottom of the pan. so using a topside drain can work efficiently.
Leaking at the drain plug is more a indication of reusing crush washers, and overtorquing the plug. Never had a problem with mine.
You can jack at an angle to get all the oil out.
E
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Sorry to say i would not agree with anyone if they crack the seal on the drain plug to change the oil. The history of cars have show that over time the biggest reason for oil leaks in car have been caused by the drain plug in the oil pan. Thus if a Mercedes is serviced at the dealer they will never crack the drain plug for the life of ur car.
And i have first hand see the difference between topside drain and plug drain, using the topside drain u don't leave any oil in the car there is less then a table spoon of oil left in the car after using a topside (vacuum) to drain the oil of the car. So its not better to crack the drain plug. i would highly recommend anyone want to change there own oil get the topside drain, and use that to change the oil in you Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche.
I would agree to the fact that the topside drain will now work on honda or other domestic cars because the dipstick area is not set up properly to allow the the suction pip from a topside drain system to reach the bottom of the pan, where the Mercedes, BMW, Porsche are set up in a way that the dipstick reach the bottom of the pan. so using a topside drain can work efficiently.
And i have first hand see the difference between topside drain and plug drain, using the topside drain u don't leave any oil in the car there is less then a table spoon of oil left in the car after using a topside (vacuum) to drain the oil of the car. So its not better to crack the drain plug. i would highly recommend anyone want to change there own oil get the topside drain, and use that to change the oil in you Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche.
I would agree to the fact that the topside drain will now work on honda or other domestic cars because the dipstick area is not set up properly to allow the the suction pip from a topside drain system to reach the bottom of the pan, where the Mercedes, BMW, Porsche are set up in a way that the dipstick reach the bottom of the pan. so using a topside drain can work efficiently.
Got an appointment at the dealer tomorrow to have them look at it.
Last edited by johnand; Jun 12, 2007 at 03:35 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
I took my car in to have my dealer look at the transmission on Wednesday, and they did their usual bang up job "fixing" it. 
They cleaned the pan and area with fluid and sprayed tracing powder, and said to have the transmission inspected next visit.
So basically they did nothing to fix the problem and I had to drive a POS Chevy Malibu for 2 days while they did NOTHING
They cleaned the pan and area with fluid and sprayed tracing powder, and said to have the transmission inspected next visit.
So basically they did nothing to fix the problem and I had to drive a POS Chevy Malibu for 2 days while they did NOTHING
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Joined: Jun 2007
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2003 C240 6 Speed
you guys seem to have it really rough with the dealers from what i've been reading!
my local dealer has been awesome, knuckle joint was squeeking in the rear of my car a few weeks ago, went in, told them. they made me an apt. for the next day and lent me an 06 C350. although I wish they hadn't because it made me wish I spent the extra 30 grand and went with a brand new C350. lol
hope you get that cleared up though. its a wonder why they just didn't change the oil pan gasket. if mercedes is anything like other cars that should be a half hour job.
my local dealer has been awesome, knuckle joint was squeeking in the rear of my car a few weeks ago, went in, told them. they made me an apt. for the next day and lent me an 06 C350. although I wish they hadn't because it made me wish I spent the extra 30 grand and went with a brand new C350. lol
hope you get that cleared up though. its a wonder why they just didn't change the oil pan gasket. if mercedes is anything like other cars that should be a half hour job.
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Sounds like they're on top of it.
When you go back in a couple days, they should be able to see where the leak is coming from.
On mine, 2002 had an issue with the gasket on....well it was a round sensor of some sort that screwed in. Mine was leaking. Told the dealer, exactly where the leak was, they replaced not that gasket but parts of the front suspension that have oil in them. Go figger.
Eventually I also got that gasket replaced, by another dealer in Sac.
When you go back in a couple days, they should be able to see where the leak is coming from.
On mine, 2002 had an issue with the gasket on....well it was a round sensor of some sort that screwed in. Mine was leaking. Told the dealer, exactly where the leak was, they replaced not that gasket but parts of the front suspension that have oil in them. Go figger.
Eventually I also got that gasket replaced, by another dealer in Sac.
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'17 Jaguar XF
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2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
There is no advantage to changing your oil early. As long as it is changed at 1 yr or 13,000 miles you will be fine. Mobil 1 0W-40 oil is used at the first fill because there is no "break-in" to be done. No metal particles are sheared off because the engine is planar honed so it it ready to run from first crank. There are no metals or contaminates on the bottom of the pan that are of any significance. Even though you replaced the Fischer & Plath copper seal on the drain plug, you run the risk of an oil leak unless you also changed the plug. The threads are a class A type designed to be tighter fit than the more common class B fit of most other fasteners. Get a Mity-Vac oil extractor and save yourself time and money. Now, how did you determine that the oil was "spent" from looking at it? If Blackstone Labs had done an analysis, you would have found that the oil was only "half spent."
I mean no criticism of you for a desire to "keep a tidy ship," but there is no technical reason to perform oil changes ahead of schedule. If you follow the factory schedule with the correct Mobil 1, fleece filter, and Top Tier premium gas, your engine will run a quarter million miles with virtually no wear.
The ultra violet tracing powder is a great tool. It will reveal the source of oil leaks, so you don't waste time resealing joints that are not leaking.
I mean no criticism of you for a desire to "keep a tidy ship," but there is no technical reason to perform oil changes ahead of schedule. If you follow the factory schedule with the correct Mobil 1, fleece filter, and Top Tier premium gas, your engine will run a quarter million miles with virtually no wear.
The ultra violet tracing powder is a great tool. It will reveal the source of oil leaks, so you don't waste time resealing joints that are not leaking.
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Did nothing? Cleaned and sprayed tracing powder (what's that? never heard of it) is at least a step forward. I have to be honest.....those pictures don't show a leak but more of a weep, and a slow one at that. Or maybe it was quick and then stopped. Slight discoloration but nothing more. I thought I was picky but you win on this one.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
There is no advantage to changing your oil early. As long as it is changed at 1 yr or 13,000 miles you will be fine. Mobil 1 0W-40 oil is used at the first fill because there is no "break-in" to be done. No metal particles are sheared off because the engine is planar honed so it it ready to run from first crank. There are no metals or contaminates on the bottom of the pan that are of any significance. Even though you replaced the Fischer & Plath copper seal on the drain plug, you run the risk of an oil leak unless you also changed the plug. The threads are a class A type designed to be tighter fit than the more common class B fit of most other fasteners. Get a Mity-Vac oil extractor and save yourself time and money. Now, how did you determine that the oil was "spent" from looking at it? If Blackstone Labs had done an analysis, you would have found that the oil was only "half spent."
I mean no criticism of you for a desire to "keep a tidy ship," but there is no technical reason to perform oil changes ahead of schedule. If you follow the factory schedule with the correct Mobil 1, fleece filter, and Top Tier premium gas, your engine will run a quarter million miles with virtually no wear.
The ultra violet tracing powder is a great tool. It will reveal the source of oil leaks, so you don't waste time resealing joints that are not leaking.
I mean no criticism of you for a desire to "keep a tidy ship," but there is no technical reason to perform oil changes ahead of schedule. If you follow the factory schedule with the correct Mobil 1, fleece filter, and Top Tier premium gas, your engine will run a quarter million miles with virtually no wear.
The ultra violet tracing powder is a great tool. It will reveal the source of oil leaks, so you don't waste time resealing joints that are not leaking.
But, I did grab a sample of the oil before I drained it all. I will be doing oil analysis on the car for a little bit to find MY optimum change interval. I suspect it will be less than the MB 13K recommended interval. I run E85 in the car regularly, and that is known to use up the additive package in oils quicker.As far as the tracing powder, that is new to me. Guess I have been away from that trade for too long. (I was a automotive mechanic about 12 years ago.) It is pretty evident to me though, that it is seeping around the pan. It just makes me nervous as, gaskets rarely fail that quick, and is more likely another problem (Like a pan, or worse yet, transmission case not quite flat.)
I will update this thread when I take it in again to have it checked.
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
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From: Austin, TX
2006 Mercedes C55 AMG
Also price doesn't always dictate to quality and lack of repairs or issues. Take a look at most exotics.
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goodluck
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my .02
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
His car is a 2007 and look at when the original post was....i'm not sure what date he purchased the car on, but when this leak happened or if it was or wasn't a leak, it shouldn't have had that discoloration, etc, he had had the car probably 8 months or less.....no matter how expensive or inexpensive your car is, it shouldn't have this type of problem that soon, unless you do something to the car......not everyone may be as rich as you if $35k isn't a lot of money.....I agree with the second half of your statement about quality though.....
my .02
my .02
