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its a right hand drive vehicle, the oil filter is located at the top right hand side of the engine. I dont think it'll be the oil filter housing as the oil leak/resudue is present near the oil feed line and directly below this area.
Nevertheless i'll check the areas you've mentioned.
The oil return line pipe is that a common failure?, its diffucult to see/access any ideas what needs to be removed to gain access? Any guide would be appreciated
Thanks
Standing in front of the car looking at the engine compartment, the oil filter is also at the top right hand side of the engine on left-hand drive vehicles. The filter housing is attached to the right-hand side of the block and the oli leaks down the block into the undertray. It also blows back onto the transmission mount and the exhaust.
The oil feed line runs from the cylinder head to the turbo. The o-ring on cylinder head end fails with time & heat and allows oil to leak out (this was my failure). The banjo bolt on the turbo end has been superceded with an updated part which I assume was necessary to resolve a problem (mine was not leaking here). Post #1 above has excellent detailed images of this feed pipe.
Standing in front of the car looking at the engine compartment, the oil filter is also at the top right hand side of the engine on left-hand drive vehicles. The filter housing is attached to the right-hand side of the block and the oli leaks down the block into the undertray. It also blows back onto the transmission mount and the exhaust.
The oil feed line runs from the cylinder head to the turbo. The o-ring on cylinder head end fails with time & heat and allows oil to leak out (this was my failure). The banjo bolt on the turbo end has been superceded with an updated part which I assume was necessary to resolve a problem (mine was not leaking here). Post #1 above has excellent detailed images of this feed pipe.
I'll take a closer look at the oil filter/housing
So the feed line is a common failure which im aware of, i suspect this maybe the fault but not 100% sure
You then also have the return line google part no A2710900277 you'll see what part im referring to, i took a pic from underneath attached earlier which is the pipe that also had oil residue on it, is this also a common failure where the seal/gasket can cause a leak?
So the feed line is a common failure which im aware of, i suspect this maybe the fault but not 100% sure
You then also have the return line google part no A2710900277 you'll see what part im referring to, i took a pic from underneath attached earlier which is the pipe that also had oil residue on it, is this also a common failure where the seal/gasket can cause a leak?
I did purchase both the feed and return lines with their respective seals/gaskets to ensure I would have all the parts I needed prior to starting the work. I only swapped out the oil feed line. In my research I did not read of any leaks on the reutrn line. The attachment shows the part numbers for all the lines and the seals/gaskets.
I did purchase both the feed and return lines with their respective seals/gaskets to ensure I would have all the parts I needed prior to starting the work. I only swapped out the oil feed line. In my research I did not read of any leaks on the reutrn line. The attachment shows the part numbers for all the lines and the seals/gaskets.
Thanks, i couldnt find anything online regarding the return line being a common failure either to be fair
Access is difficult to get to the feed and return line, do you have access to WIS or repair manual as not sure what needs to be removed to gain better visual access to the parts so i can inspect them properly
Thanks, i couldnt find anything online regarding the return line being a common failure either to be fair
Access is difficult to get to the feed and return line, do you have access to WIS or repair manual as not sure what needs to be removed to gain better visual access to the parts so i can inspect them properly
Here is an excellent video on replacement of the feed line:
I replaced the line in about 10 minutes. You cannot really see the end which attaches to the cylinder head so you have to do so by feel. However, there is a nice resounding pop when the new o-ring seats in the cylinder head and, when it does so, the torx bolt lines up nicely in the hole.
I replaced the line in about 10 minutes. You cannot really see the end which attaches to the cylinder head so you have to do so by feel. However, there is a nice resounding pop when the new o-ring seats in the cylinder head and, when it does so, the torx bolt lines up nicely in the hole.
Yeah ive watched that video and a few others. Shame they dont show how to fully gain access to properly inspect. I took all the bolts off for the heatshield but couldnt remove it as other parts were in the way so gave up lol
Any ideas how i can gain access to the return line, couldnt find anything online
Yeah ive watched that video and a few others. Shame they dont show how to fully gain access to properly inspect. I took all the bolts off for the heatshield but couldnt remove it as other parts were in the way so gave up lol
Any ideas how i can gain access to the return line, couldnt find anything online
Hera are the removal/install instructions from the WIS:
Looked all around the cylinder head cover gasket, no signs of any leak
Also looked around the oil filter housing, although difficult to see, I could see no evidence of an oil leak
The air intake hose, is there a specific area i should be looking? From what i could see no evidence of any signs of an oil leak
The signs of an oil leak are near the oil feed line and directly below this area, I also noticed some signs of oil residue above the gearbox and above the alternator which makes me think the culprit is the oil feed line
Looked all around the cylinder head cover gasket, no signs of any leak
Also looked around the oil filter housing, although difficult to see, I could see no evidence of an oil leak
The air intake hose, is there a specific area i should be looking? From what i could see no evidence of any signs of an oil leak
The signs of an oil leak are near the oil feed line and directly below this area, I also noticed some signs of oil residue above the gearbox and above the alternator which makes me think the culprit is the oil feed line
Would appreciate your thoughts?
It sounds like you have isolated the source of the leak. I had exactly the same residue above the alternator and on the transmission pan. The oil on the air intake hose was in the area circled in the photo. However, this could have been caused by oil from the oil feed line. At the time I didn't look too closely as the air intake hose had cracked elsewhere and I had to replace it. Looks like you have your maintenance task identified for the weekend.
It sounds like you have isolated the source of the leak. I had exactly the same residue above the alternator and on the transmission pan. The oil on the air intake hose was in the area circled in the photo. However, this could have been caused by oil from the oil feed line. At the time I didn't look too closely as the air intake hose had cracked elsewhere and I had to replace it. Looks like you have your maintenance task identified for the weekend.
perfect timing, just literally packed up the tools
Replaced the banjo bolt, 2 washers and o ring
The banjo bolt was the old version, the revised version looks a little different
Looking at the original o ring, it did look worn, alot more thinner and brittle compared to the new one!
Hopefully this has cured the issue, whilst I was at it did an oil and oil filter change.
Havent put the undertrays on yet will give it a few days/weeks and monitor.
Thanks for all your advice @alynch your a credit to the forum
@alynch it's been a few weeks since I replaced the banjo bolt, o ring and sealing rings, thought I'd go and check underneath before putting the undertrays back on but lo and behold there is still a leak, I'm at a loss as to what it could be it's definitely engine oil
Could it be the sump? or the seal between the transmission?
But what throws me is there is signs of oil leak above those areas, pic 3 for example
Pics attached, thoughts would be appreciated
Last edited by ash1212002; May 29, 2022 at 02:33 PM.
Hmm? I'm sorry the oil feed line didn't resolve the problem. With the multiple different locations (upper and lower), I would suspect the cylinder cover gasket. I, too, had oil deposits in unexpected locations, and replacing the cylinder cover gasket solved the problem. The cylinder head cover is part of the PCV circuit and is pressurized, so any weaknesses in the gasket allow oil to be blown out. That's my guess as to why oil ends up in strange locations.
Hmm? I'm sorry the oil feed line didn't resolve the problem. With the multiple different locations (upper and lower), I would suspect the cylinder cover gasket. I, too, had oil deposits in unexpected locations, and replacing the cylinder cover gasket solved the problem. The cylinder head cover is part of the PCV circuit and is pressurized, so any weaknesses in the gasket allow oil to be blown out. That's my guess as to why oil ends up in strange locations.
is that the valve cover gasket you are referring to? Looking from above, and the permiter of the cover I could see no signs of oil leak, do you think that could still be the culprit?
is that the valve cover gasket you are referring to? Looking from above, and the permiter of the cover I could see no signs of oil leak, do you think that could still be the culprit?
Yes, the valve cover gasket (Mercedes call it the cylinder head cover). It is one of more common leak areas. The other challenge is oil blown over the engine away from the actual source. You might try thoroughly cleaning engine and add an ultraviolet dye to the oil. In a few days you should be able to isolate the source of the leak with an ultraviolet light. I thought about this before changing the valve cover gasket but I had to do so anyway since oil was leaking into the spark plug recesses.
Yes, the valve cover gasket (Mercedes call it the cylinder head cover). It is one of more common leak areas. The other challenge is oil blown over the engine away from the actual source. You might try thoroughly cleaning engine and add an ultraviolet dye to the oil. In a few days you should be able to isolate the source of the leak with an ultraviolet light. I thought about this before changing the valve cover gasket but I had to do so anyway since oil was leaking into the spark plug recesses.
Great, well it's worth a punt given that we don't know what else it could be! I'll call Mercedes tomorrow to order the gasket will report back on how I get on and if this cures it. Once again thank you for your thoughts
Great, well it's worth a punt given that we don't know what else it could be! I'll call Mercedes tomorrow to order the gasket will report back on how I get on and if this cures it. Once again thank you for your thoughts
I think that's a wise move. I hate to just throw parts at a problem but at this point it is an educated guess.
Is it a must to use a torque wrench?, I don't have one so I'll have to purchase one!
I would say yes, a torque wrench is essential. The cover is plastic and the settings are pretty low (8Nm for the coil bolts and 9Nm for the cover bolts). If the bolts are not evenly torqued you run the risk of deforming the cover and creating potential leak spots.
@lynch replaced the gasket but there is still a leak
Came across this video, would appreciate your thoughts, as this point I'm clutching at straws!https://youtu.be/MGJW1BWz4jM
Sorry the gasket didn't resolve the issue. I've watched this video before. I know the end of the air intake hose that connects to the turbo is a real pain to seat and, if you don't do it correctly, you can deform the coupling as shown in the video. It's possible it may leak but there shouldn't ever be much oil in this hose.
At this point I would clean off the engine then add ultraviolet dye to the oil and run the engine for a few days. The dye should help detect the source of the leak.
Sorry the gasket didn't resolve the issue. I've watched this video before. I know the end of the air intake hose that connects to the turbo is a real pain to seat and, if you don't do it correctly, you can deform the coupling as shown in the video. It's possible it may leak but there shouldn't ever be much oil in this hose.
At this point I would clean off the engine then add ultraviolet dye to the oil and run the engine for a few days. The dye should help detect the source of the leak.
@alynch
I've been doing further research, and thinking could it be the turbo oil return line? the gasket could have failed causing the leak?
What do you think? Do you know how to gain better access so I can take a proper look?
@alynch
I've been doing further research, and thinking could it be the turbo oil return line? the gasket could have failed causing the leak?
What do you think? Do you know how to gain better access so I can take a proper look?
Thanks
Currently, I have several of the components on the front of the engine removed to replace the camshaft adjusters this weekend. That provides more access to items that are typically hidden. Let me see if I can take some pictures that might make show how to access the turbo oil return line.
Waiting for the dye to arrive, managed to take some photos of the engine oil return line from the turbo. I feel I'm getting closer to finding the culprit. I think it's the o ring that's the issue
If you zoom in it looks like the oil is seeping from the o ring
What do you think?
What throws me though is the signs of oil residue above the oil return line on the top part of alternator loom and completely outside of the area on the sump and on the other side over the alternator
But I guess that's the wind throwing the oil everywhere!?
Also not sure if this is related to the issue, haven't driven the vehicle for 12 days just started it today and there was a huge puff of smoke from the exhaust, which eventually cleared
Last edited by ash1212002; Jun 10, 2022 at 07:54 AM.
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