Leaking oil on Alternator
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 331
Likes: 40
1998 CLK 320
Leaking oil on Alternator
Hi guys,
I'm Leaking oil, but I can only see it on the on Alternator. It's a pretty decent leak too, but I can't see where it's coming from. It's not smoking, so I know it's not dripping on the exhaust and it's definitely not a head gasket. I can't see the valve cover(s) well enough to rule them out, but nothing is easily noticeable.
Has anyone had this issue?
Thanks,
I'm Leaking oil, but I can only see it on the on Alternator. It's a pretty decent leak too, but I can't see where it's coming from. It's not smoking, so I know it's not dripping on the exhaust and it's definitely not a head gasket. I can't see the valve cover(s) well enough to rule them out, but nothing is easily noticeable.
Has anyone had this issue?
Thanks,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 399
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
Hi guys,
I'm Leaking oil, but I can only see it on the on Alternator. It's a pretty decent leak too, but I can't see where it's coming from. It's not smoking, so I know it's not dripping on the exhaust and it's definitely not a head gasket. I can't see the valve cover(s) well enough to rule them out, but nothing is easily noticeable.
Has anyone had this issue?
Thanks,
I'm Leaking oil, but I can only see it on the on Alternator. It's a pretty decent leak too, but I can't see where it's coming from. It's not smoking, so I know it's not dripping on the exhaust and it's definitely not a head gasket. I can't see the valve cover(s) well enough to rule them out, but nothing is easily noticeable.
Has anyone had this issue?
Thanks,
2MERKS
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 331
Likes: 40
1998 CLK 320
It's a 1998 CLK 320 (M112 E32).
I looked at the valve covers and I don't see any leakage. I also doubt it's a valve cover. They both look good and none of the oil is getting on the exhaust - and it's losing a lot of oil (roughly 1/2 Qt. per day). I don't even drive much right now.
It's definitely coming from the front of the engine and it seems as though the radiator fan is blowing it onto the front of the engine. The front of the alternator seems to be getting the worst of it. I've never done any timing work on this engine, but it seems like it's coming from where I would expect a timing cover seal (or similar) to be. Somewhere near the tensioner pulley.
I just spent five minutes under the hood (with the engine running) and couldn't find anything. It's hard to believe I can be losing so much oil and have absolutely no idea where it's coming from.
I looked at the valve covers and I don't see any leakage. I also doubt it's a valve cover. They both look good and none of the oil is getting on the exhaust - and it's losing a lot of oil (roughly 1/2 Qt. per day). I don't even drive much right now.
It's definitely coming from the front of the engine and it seems as though the radiator fan is blowing it onto the front of the engine. The front of the alternator seems to be getting the worst of it. I've never done any timing work on this engine, but it seems like it's coming from where I would expect a timing cover seal (or similar) to be. Somewhere near the tensioner pulley.
I just spent five minutes under the hood (with the engine running) and couldn't find anything. It's hard to believe I can be losing so much oil and have absolutely no idea where it's coming from.
Last edited by convicted; Mar 17, 2020 at 08:13 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 331
Likes: 40
1998 CLK 320
I think I will. I took a short drive today and as I was pulling into my driveway, my (brand new) serpentine belt slipped off of the (large - center) roller pulley. That's how slippery it had gotten.
I need to tear everything apart, find the leak, fix it and degrease/clean everything. Whatever it is, it's bad - and it has something to do with oil pressure, because I filled the oil last night and let it sit. It lost no oil at all overnight. I then let it idle for about fifteen minutes this morning - and again: no oil loss. This afternoon, I drove it (about) three miles to the store and (3 miles) back and lost about a quart of oil by the time I pulled back into the driveway (when the belt slipped off). Everything on the front of the engine had a thin coat of oil on it - from the radiator fan blowing it everywhere - which is making it nearly impossible to track down, but I'm pretty sure it's one of the leaks from the video you posted, so I think I'll try to do something similar. Like a video showing the problem, then the steps to find and fix it.
Unfortunately I just sold a bunch of my tools. I had way too many and I told myself: "I don't need all of this ****. I'm done tuning everything I touch and doing work on everyone's car. I'm going to buy a car and just drive it. Simple repairs and maintenance only." (how many tuners & DIYers make the mistake of telling themselves that lie?) lol.
Almost every tool on the list of necessary tools were included in what I sold, so I have to buy those tools (again) before I can fix and film this issue, but I have to do it anyway, so why not try to help someone else out?
I need to tear everything apart, find the leak, fix it and degrease/clean everything. Whatever it is, it's bad - and it has something to do with oil pressure, because I filled the oil last night and let it sit. It lost no oil at all overnight. I then let it idle for about fifteen minutes this morning - and again: no oil loss. This afternoon, I drove it (about) three miles to the store and (3 miles) back and lost about a quart of oil by the time I pulled back into the driveway (when the belt slipped off). Everything on the front of the engine had a thin coat of oil on it - from the radiator fan blowing it everywhere - which is making it nearly impossible to track down, but I'm pretty sure it's one of the leaks from the video you posted, so I think I'll try to do something similar. Like a video showing the problem, then the steps to find and fix it.
Unfortunately I just sold a bunch of my tools. I had way too many and I told myself: "I don't need all of this ****. I'm done tuning everything I touch and doing work on everyone's car. I'm going to buy a car and just drive it. Simple repairs and maintenance only." (how many tuners & DIYers make the mistake of telling themselves that lie?) lol.
Almost every tool on the list of necessary tools were included in what I sold, so I have to buy those tools (again) before I can fix and film this issue, but I have to do it anyway, so why not try to help someone else out?
Last edited by convicted; Mar 26, 2020 at 01:27 PM.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 399
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
I think I will. I took a short drive today and as I was pulling into my driveway, my (brand new) serpentine belt slipped off of the (large - center) roller pulley. That's how slippery it had gotten.
I need to tear everything apart, find the leak, fix it and degrease/clean everything. Whatever it is, it's bad - and it has something to do with oil pressure, because I filled the oil last night and let it sit. It lost no oil at all overnight. I then let it idle for about fifteen minutes this morning - and again: no oil loss. This afternoon, I drove it (about) three miles to the store and (3 miles) back and lost about a quart of oil by the time I pulled back into the driveway (when the belt slipped off). Everything on the front of the engine had a thin coat of oil on it - from the radiator fan blowing it everywhere - which is making it nearly impossible to track down, but I'm pretty sure it's one of the leaks from the video you posted, so I think I'll try to do something similar. Like a video showing the problem, then the steps to find and fix it.
Unfortunately I just sold a bunch of my tools. I had way too many and I told myself: "I don't need all of this ****. I'm done tuning everything I touch and doing work on everyone's car. I'm going to buy a car and just drive it. Simple repairs and maintenance only." (how many tuners & DIYers make the mistake f telling themselves that lie?) lol.
Almost every tool on the list of necessary tools were included in what I sold, so I have to buy those tools (again) before I can fix and film this issue, but I have to do it anyway, so why not try to help someone else out?
I need to tear everything apart, find the leak, fix it and degrease/clean everything. Whatever it is, it's bad - and it has something to do with oil pressure, because I filled the oil last night and let it sit. It lost no oil at all overnight. I then let it idle for about fifteen minutes this morning - and again: no oil loss. This afternoon, I drove it (about) three miles to the store and (3 miles) back and lost about a quart of oil by the time I pulled back into the driveway (when the belt slipped off). Everything on the front of the engine had a thin coat of oil on it - from the radiator fan blowing it everywhere - which is making it nearly impossible to track down, but I'm pretty sure it's one of the leaks from the video you posted, so I think I'll try to do something similar. Like a video showing the problem, then the steps to find and fix it.
Unfortunately I just sold a bunch of my tools. I had way too many and I told myself: "I don't need all of this ****. I'm done tuning everything I touch and doing work on everyone's car. I'm going to buy a car and just drive it. Simple repairs and maintenance only." (how many tuners & DIYers make the mistake f telling themselves that lie?) lol.
Almost every tool on the list of necessary tools were included in what I sold, so I have to buy those tools (again) before I can fix and film this issue, but I have to do it anyway, so why not try to help someone else out?
2MERKS
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 331
Likes: 40
1998 CLK 320
Well,
I took your suggestion and made a video of my own, but I made it for "the beginner", so it's pretty long, but hopefully it helps someone in need.
Here it is:
Thanks again! (P.S. Check the description
)
I took your suggestion and made a video of my own, but I made it for "the beginner", so it's pretty long, but hopefully it helps someone in need.
Here it is:
Thanks again! (P.S. Check the description
)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 399
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
Well,
I took your suggestion and made a video of my own, but I made it for "the beginner", so it's pretty long, but hopefully it helps someone in need.
Here it is:
https://youtu.be/pkt1ccQh8cY
Thanks again! (P.S. Check the description)
I took your suggestion and made a video of my own, but I made it for "the beginner", so it's pretty long, but hopefully it helps someone in need.
Here it is:
https://youtu.be/pkt1ccQh8cY
Thanks again! (P.S. Check the description
)any issues since? Definitely A+!
2MERKS
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 331
Likes: 40
1998 CLK 320
By trade I'm an Enterprise Software, Network and Computer Systems Engineer (now I teach competitive intelligence), but my dad was an ASE mechanic and I learned a lot from him before he died.......I also grew up poor, which pretty much forces you to be a "everything engineer". lol
I just hope this helps someone half as much as you helped me.
Thankfully, I haven't had any issues since - and I still can't believe that such a small leak could cause so much oil loss. I've never seen anything like it.
Now I'm about to go outside and replace this damn driver's side door controller. Tomorrow will be the SAM. After that, we should be right back to 1998. lol
Thanks again!! Much appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 399
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
I'm soo happy to hear your back on the pavement! I'm just appreciative to be associated with this forum, and this Community as a whole! Lots, and lots of good, informative and knowledge out there!
In short, I cannot take any credit for passing on info, but again I like to see ALL succeed! Think of it as a where we all get credit, and we all contribute...like "FOSS" free and open source S/w! Lol👍
2MERKS
In short, I cannot take any credit for passing on info, but again I like to see ALL succeed! Think of it as a where we all get credit, and we all contribute...like "FOSS" free and open source S/w! Lol👍
2MERKS
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 331
Likes: 40
1998 CLK 320
I'm soo happy to hear your back on the pavement! I'm just appreciative to be associated with this forum, and this Community as a whole! Lots, and lots of good, informative and knowledge out there!
In short, I cannot take any credit for passing on info, but again I like to see ALL succeed! Think of it as a where we all get credit, and we all contribute...like "FOSS" free and open source S/w! Lol👍
2MERKS
In short, I cannot take any credit for passing on info, but again I like to see ALL succeed! Think of it as a where we all get credit, and we all contribute...like "FOSS" free and open source S/w! Lol👍
2MERKS
I couldn't have said it better myself. I've been (and still am) a member of a dozen forums over the past decade and I'm right there with you. It's a great model for what society should be (or how we should all conduct ourselves in "the real world"). Funny how it's so difficult for so many to grasp such a simple (and fulfilling) concept.
.
