mawingo

Hey MB world
I noticed the following on our garage floor after my wife left for work. I'm a little concerned as that seems like a decent amount of oil, and it wasn't there yesterday. Is there something common on the 1.8T/C250 that would cause this? It's driver side. Dealer can't get me in anytime soon so I may have to get an indy to look at it.

CJBROWN

oil and filter change recently? Could be a dripping drain or filter.

That's not that much oil as it spreads very quickly - likely drops of oil. But I would check the level before running it very far, and have it looked at sooner rather than later. Plus the dripping oil will get everywhere inside your engine bay and make a real mess of things.

Could be a broken cooler or oil line to the turbo, hit a curb, any number of things.

Years ago wifey drove her volvo turbo wagon out 50 miles for a funeral service that ran late into the night. When she left it wouldn't shift out of first for a mile or so, so she turned around and went back to get help. When she got back to where she started it shifted into second so she turned back around and drove it home. Turns out the trans had lost all it's fluid and she drove it the 50 miles back without it. Pretty much junked that slushbox - was about $1400 to have it rebuilt, my buddy and I did the R&R. A real PITA. Biggest cost was a new output shaft for the getrag.

mawingo

no recent oil change. In fact, it's probably about due. My concern is something broke or gave out. Didn't know if there was a common issue like the camshaft plug on earlier models. Oh well, I'll check the level and take it in as soon as I can. I don't have a way to get underneath it.

VVF

Where is it located in relation to the car? I.e. In the center under the engine, close to the wheel, etc?

mawingo

The closer oil pool is very close to the front wheel on the driver side. The one further back is by the driver door.

VVF

Hmm, not sure about the driver door, but the one close to the wheel may be a shot, leaking control arm bushing: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post3534790
You can look under there with a flashlight. Just to give an idea where the arm is located in relation to the engine:
http://www.installuniversity.com/mbg...undercover.jpg
Second red arrow from left, on top, points at the control arm in question.

dudeitsmattx

Don't drive the car!! Its going to blow!

VVF

As you can see, he is not driving the car His wife is, though

dudeitsmattx

I know lol. I was just bored at work and trying to entertain myself

mawingo

I think we have a winner. The area inside the wheel is covered in oil, as is the fender liner. But things are relatively dry towards the motor. How serious is this, in terms of drive it or don't drive it till you can get it in?

VVF

If that's indeed the bushing, you can drive it. It kinda compromises the ride quality, may feel thuds when braking etc.
I am wary about oil inside the wheel though... It's not 4matic, right?
Is the power steering fluid level ok? Is the brake caliper dry on the bottom?

The "good" thing with the bushing is, once the fluid has leaked, it's dry. So you may wipe the affected areas and monitor for several days.

rookiezxc

I'm driving a c250 and a VW GLI (Sedan GTI) with turbos before and never had any leak. Go ask and see the dealer while it's still in warranty, assuming it's a 2012

mawingo

The caliper is dry and all fluid levels check out. In any case, the vehicle is still under warranty and the dealer was nice enough to put me in another C class while they take a look. May be a couple of days before they do though. I'll report back.

rookiezxc

Dealer's pretty nice! Glad that they put effort for things like this and not being a hassle

mawingo

Dealer called me back and said they couldn't find anything wrong. I asked them to double check and showed them the picture above. Still, nothing. I checked around the outside of the garage to ensure it wasn't something that caught the wheel and came in, but there's nothing. The oil pattern/drops would indicate it originated by the front wheel anyways. And there's nothing around that would have been runover in that area.
Oh well. I have it documented now, should I hear any mysterious noises later or lose a wheel...

VVF

When is the warranty expiration date?
I might be too pessimistic, but looks like they don't want to do it for free
so that later they can charge you $300 for the bushing/whatever leaked.

mawingo

I'm not sure the actual in-service date, but I have 12k miles and the rest of this year approximately.