Transmission oil leak?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Transmission fluid leak?
So I was out fixing out what I thought was the leaking vacuum pump behind the (M271) engine and noticed this.
My car had started shifting funny (occasional rough gear change and missed gear) about a month ago. Decided to check the fluid, and sure enough, it was low.
So here are my questions.
1. Does that look like oil, or does it look more like transmission fluid? Yes I know I'm overdue so the fluid is old and will therefore be brownish. Was actually going to attempt the transmission fluid flush today, but this is really making things go sideways. The reason I suspect it's transmission fluid is becuase the fluid seems to be right along the seam there, but on the other hand, that stain there is also directly below the mating surface between the vacuum pump and motor, where I consistently had issues with leaking engine oil in the past.
2. If it was the transmission seal, is it a particularly difficult or nasty job? I'll probably pass it to an indie to take care of, but also don't want to pay more than the car is worth, which is a real possibility.
Car is at 178k km.
Thanks.
My car had started shifting funny (occasional rough gear change and missed gear) about a month ago. Decided to check the fluid, and sure enough, it was low.
So here are my questions.
1. Does that look like oil, or does it look more like transmission fluid? Yes I know I'm overdue so the fluid is old and will therefore be brownish. Was actually going to attempt the transmission fluid flush today, but this is really making things go sideways. The reason I suspect it's transmission fluid is becuase the fluid seems to be right along the seam there, but on the other hand, that stain there is also directly below the mating surface between the vacuum pump and motor, where I consistently had issues with leaking engine oil in the past.
2. If it was the transmission seal, is it a particularly difficult or nasty job? I'll probably pass it to an indie to take care of, but also don't want to pay more than the car is worth, which is a real possibility.
Car is at 178k km.
Thanks.
Last edited by slammer111; Sep 17, 2016 at 07:00 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2004 c 230K and 2014 SLK 250
I looks like small amount of fluid spilled while pouring into tranns fill neck( which by the way is tiny, so it's easy to spill ) , as for leak you should check under the car, especially near transs connector ( 13 pin) if its wet , also check TCM that is inside car , pass side fwd, if that connector has oil that explains why car shifts funny, clean it immediately, hope you TCM is not shorted. Good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 4
From: Canada, Ontario, Brampton
E63 AMG W211 & W203 Sport Pkg
I looks like small amount of fluid spilled while pouring into tranns fill neck( which by the way is tiny, so it's easy to spill ) , as for leak you should check under the car, especially near transs connector ( 13 pin) if its wet , also check TCM that is inside car , pass side fwd, if that connector has oil that explains why car shifts funny, clean it immediately, hope you TCM is not shorted. Good luck
