Haalp !, W203 Oil leak (pic) :(
#1
Haalp !, W203 Oil leak (pic) :(
Merry christmas everyone !
I noticed there's oil dripping from the front side of the engine bay, went down and removed the cover, and i found lots of oil around the steering rack and whatever is above it, i managed to take one pic before my phone died on me !
can anyone identify what this is from that pic ? i couldn't tell , but i'll put her after the holidays on a lift to get a better view, any tips what that is ? my first guess is either seal or leaky P/S hoses or rack ? power steering feels a liiiiiitle funny, but that might not be it (driving on snow now so it's hard to tell really)
Thanks !
I noticed there's oil dripping from the front side of the engine bay, went down and removed the cover, and i found lots of oil around the steering rack and whatever is above it, i managed to take one pic before my phone died on me !
can anyone identify what this is from that pic ? i couldn't tell , but i'll put her after the holidays on a lift to get a better view, any tips what that is ? my first guess is either seal or leaky P/S hoses or rack ? power steering feels a liiiiiitle funny, but that might not be it (driving on snow now so it's hard to tell really)
Thanks !
#2
Looks like your oil pan is leaking, look for cracks in it ,most likely you hit something from undeath your car and it damaged the pan or the gasket which causing the leak, i recommend not to drive it untill its fixed.
#3
do you think a small ride to the lift (less than 2 Kms) would be too risky ?
is it an easy job to change the pan ?
#4
that's allot of oil...
if it's oil pan, then it's not an easy job...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4429503
if it's oil pan, then it's not an easy job...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4429503
#5
that's allot of oil...
if it's oil pan, then it's not an easy job...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4429503
if it's oil pan, then it's not an easy job...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4429503
If it's a small crack in the pan, is it feasible to patch it somehow (JB weld) instead of changing the whole thing ? Or is that too risky as debris can get into the oil while "fixing" it ?
I'm thinking as a temporary fix till winter is over
#7
Trending Topics
#10
How fast are you having to add oil to the engine? I'm just thinking that if you're not losing oil quickly then it might just be something small that has been going on for a long time. Back of the engine/oilpan look dry, usually pan leaks eventually wet the oil pan especially as you drive and the airflow makes the oil move aft. Good luck!
#11
How fast are you having to add oil to the engine? I'm just thinking that if you're not losing oil quickly then it might just be something small that has been going on for a long time. Back of the engine/oilpan look dry, usually pan leaks eventually wet the oil pan especially as you drive and the airflow makes the oil move aft. Good luck!
#12
I have a crack in my oil pan, and will be replacing it. I cannot for the life of me, find a replacement gasket for the pan. Is there a gasket? The Pan is a 2710101013, and every exploded view I have seen does NOT show a gasket. Anyone with any knowledge in this area? Is this a build your own gasket, or are the parts designed to assemble dry without gasket?
#13
OK I managed to get under there today!, but I still can't pinpoint the leak, the oil pan seems dry and the transmission pan looks clean too!, I'm guessing it could be the crank seal, but couldn't confirm, apparently my wash wasn't good enough..
Anyone see anything special?? The oil seems that come from a higher place and splashing all over the place!
Anyone see anything special?? The oil seems that come from a higher place and splashing all over the place!
Last edited by mostafaberg; 12-30-2014 at 02:25 PM. Reason: Moved the first misplaced picture
#14
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 10
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Geez, that looks awful. There's no way you should be driving that at this point. If I were you, I'd get it towed to a dealer or indy. Of course, you could just wait until the engine seizes and you could then put it out of its misery, but that would probably not be the best route.
#16
#17
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 183
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
You need to make absolutely sure but that's the general area the oil is coming from.
Sorry ~ I don't have the procedure & we have never put it in the Wiki.
Hopefully someone with the W203 service CD can help post R&R
Sorry ~ I don't have the procedure & we have never put it in the Wiki.
Hopefully someone with the W203 service CD can help post R&R
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 12-31-2014 at 08:43 AM.
#18
The picture where you can see the main pulley with the belt, some oil on it and then the engine with oil coming down is what did it for me. I really think it is the crank seal. The water pump is above this area a little ways and aside from the cam magnets way up top there's nothing that would justify oil leaking in this manner. I agree with Glyn though, you need to verify this is the case. I thought you said you "cleaned" this area off? You'll never be able to tell for sure until you pressure wash (Very carefully) and get all that oil off so you can then witness the oil coming down from the source. Good luck!
#19
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 183
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I'm pleased you are seeing what I am seeing. 2 sets of eyes are better than 1. But the area needs to be cleaned & then look for source of new oil.
It's an easy fix if it's a crankshaft seal ~ once you get everything out of the way & that damn pulley bolt loose.
It's an easy fix if it's a crankshaft seal ~ once you get everything out of the way & that damn pulley bolt loose.
#20
The picture where you can see the main pulley with the belt, some oil on it and then the engine with oil coming down is what did it for me. I really think it is the crank seal. The water pump is above this area a little ways and aside from the cam magnets way up top there's nothing that would justify oil leaking in this manner. I agree with Glyn though, you need to verify this is the case. I thought you said you "cleaned" this area off? You'll never be able to tell for sure until you pressure wash (Very carefully) and get all that oil off so you can then witness the oil coming down from the source. Good luck!
Unfortunately, last night after working on the car I went out for a little smoke to let off some steam, and managed to slip on hard ice and fall so hard on my back that i think i cracked a rib, so can't really do so much work on the car for a few days ! anyone got WIS on how to change a cracked rib ? funny thing I also broke my new iPhone 6 glass while taking picture of the car first day too, i'm so unlucky so really hope it's just the crank seal cause that's the only thing that'll make it up to me !
Thanks @turbonos7 and @Glyn M Ruck for your great inputs !, I'll get better and get a DIY with pics on the fix !
happy new year everyone !
#21
I know this may sound silly, and I'm sure the above comments about the crankshaft seal may be correct...
BUT....
Seeing as you did an oil change not too long ago, have you ruled out the oil filter? If it hasn't been torqued in properly, it may be leaking oil and making its way down. I had a small oil leak that would make its way down to the bottom and initially thought it was the oil pan, area looked the same as yours, just not as much oil. When I got an oil change, the guy told me the previous owner or person who did their oil change didn't properly torque the oil filter in (25nm) and it was slowly leaking out.
Just a thought!
BUT....
Seeing as you did an oil change not too long ago, have you ruled out the oil filter? If it hasn't been torqued in properly, it may be leaking oil and making its way down. I had a small oil leak that would make its way down to the bottom and initially thought it was the oil pan, area looked the same as yours, just not as much oil. When I got an oil change, the guy told me the previous owner or person who did their oil change didn't properly torque the oil filter in (25nm) and it was slowly leaking out.
Just a thought!
#23
WOW... broken rib? Even after that left with good enough spirits to make jokes about it? LOL, well... please don't kill yourself trying to fix this. If anything, you are now well aware of the problem and can keep a closer eye on your oil level until the weather warms up or your rib heals (whichever comes first...lol) and then get all your resources together so you can tackle this once and for all! I know it's messy to just leave it for now and if you're any level of OCD as I am the oil might as well be sitting on top of your hood staring you down because the knowledge of the leak bothers you just as well but... it's better to be certain and well equipped to fix this the first time instead of having to go back time after time..... unless you have more iPhones to break?!?!?! So much for the "virtually un-breakable Sapphire glass"! Again friend... good luck!
#24
WOW... broken rib? Even after that left with good enough spirits to make jokes about it? LOL, well... please don't kill yourself trying to fix this. If anything, you are now well aware of the problem and can keep a closer eye on your oil level until the weather warms up or your rib heals (whichever comes first...lol) and then get all your resources together so you can tackle this once and for all! I know it's messy to just leave it for now and if you're any level of OCD as I am the oil might as well be sitting on top of your hood staring you down because the knowledge of the leak bothers you just as well but... it's better to be certain and well equipped to fix this the first time instead of having to go back time after time..... unless you have more iPhones to break?!?!?! So much for the "virtually un-breakable Sapphire glass"! Again friend... good luck!
Yep, it was a hard week on me !, lots of losses ! lol, i'm a pretty happy guy, hard to get me, check one of my posts about when i broke both my bearings for evidence
Anyways, rib healed enough for me to get back into it, got a flashlight this time to avoid breaking anything else, cleaned the car and here's my new findings ! (seems like you guys are right but i wanna confirm that it looks like the crank seal)
i washed the car as much as i can, and a few days later started seeing fresh oil under she crank seal that goes onto the oil pan and splashes on most the place causing the mess we saw !, here are the images from a bit earlier today:
crank or no crank ?
Thank you guys for all the support I really appreciate it !