jr226

Check the oil filler tube (edit) filter housing. Mine just started leaking there. Dealership wanted $750, but FCP has the part for $150 ($130 elsewhere) (6421801410) and my buddy said he's replaced a bunch of them on ML/GL's. Looks like its not too long of a job, I just ordered the repair manual to be sure.


@Diabolis, I've got a 2014 ML350 Bluetec (you've helped me out before ), is there a way to tell if my ML was made with those 3rd gen Oil Cooler seals? If so, should they last the life of the car?

MudFoots

@jr226 where did you get your manual? And I was thinking the exact same thing about the dipstick! Will investigate that further!

@Diabolis I would like to know about the seals as well. I have found many kits online that do not specify what gen they are. I am thinking about diving in myself next spring. Will give me time to research and have proper parts and tools. (I do have experience on other brand cars with engine rebuilds before sombody says anything)

jr226

Oops, I meant the oil filter housing. Check the part number I posted.

I got the service manual on eBay, just ordered today. I don't think I'm supposed to post seller links, so look for "Mercedes Smart - WIS / ASRA & EPC EWA Workshop Service Repair Manual Set on USB". I bought from a US seller for ~$33, but they have overseas sellers who are selling the discs for like $6 if you're willing to wait. I haven't gotten it yet, so no idea how good/ bad it is.

MudFoots

@jr226 oh yea! Looking at that too! There seems to be fresh oil on the top side of the seam of the filter housing.

Diabolis

The first gen Viton oil cooler seals were designed and went into production sometime in 2010 - but whatever stock remained of the old (non-Viton) seals at the various engine production plants was not recalled and there are engines with a production date as late as 2012 that still use the old seals. If you gave a 2014 MY (which would likely have been made sometime in 2013), you almost certainly have the first-gen Viton seals unless someone was already poking around the motor for other reasons. While there have been failures with these as well, they are about 10x less likely to leak as the non-Viton seals (which basically lose their elasticity over time). The second-gen Viton seals which are thicker than the first-gen came out sometime in 2015 or 2016, but at that stage North American OM642 diesel engine production for the ML/GL/GLE/GLS had stopped and these would not have made in into any W166 / X166 production engine from the factory. At this point these are the only ones available for purchase from authorized MB dealership, so if you ever need to replace yours, the ones you'd get from a dealership parts counter are the latest second-gen Viton seals.

MudFoots

Went to the local lube shop with the correct oil and filter to make sure the previous owner did not put the wrong and/or cheap supplies in. They were able to identify that my oil cooler line (what they called it) that threads into the block by the alternator is leaking through the treads. Does anyone have knowledge on fixing that? Is is a simple O-ring? How much oil will dump when opening it? Any special procedures associated with it?

Cheers,
Tony

Diabolis

The only oil cooler in your car is in the middle of the engine "V", and there are no oil lines to and from it. You need to find a different shop that at the very least knows what they're looking at.

MudFoots

What is the fitting right by the alternator? It's leaking oil.

Diabolis

Can you post a picture of it?

MudFoots

I have tried to get a picture. All I get is an oil covered alternator and lower radiator hose! The pulley above that seems clean when I look from the side. I will try again today for new pictures, I sprayed off the area with parts cleaner yesterday. Hopefully I will see better, hopefully I will see nothing because I changed the oil the previous owner out in...which I believe was cheap oil and not to spec.

Diabolis

The oil filter housing is up and to the right (if you're looking at it from the front) and if you have a leak there it can coat the alternator with oil, but I don't know what oil line you're talking about without seeing a pic. Or are you talking about power steering fluid, which could be leaking from the pump and does have a small cooler? Is it a hose or a hard line (pipe)? I need to see the fitting where it is leaking from...

MudFoots

I dont think its the oil filter housing, most of the oil is lower left. Pooling at the base of the dipstick tube and spraying all over the alternator. I am attaching some pictures as I cannot tell where it could possibly be coming from except maybe a valve cover? Pictures were taken after a good cleaning, I do not see anything fresh, drove around for over an hour. The alternator and hose fitting was caked with oil and grime yesterday.

On a side note, after changing the oil, the engine is running considerably better. Better starting, acceleration from stop, and fuel economy as per the onboard computer. Am I crazy to think the old oil was messing up seals?

Front of alternator and lower radiator hose fitting.

Top of alternator, side.

Diabolis

Everything in that picture is doused with oil and covered in grime, but you can clearly see in both pics that all that oil is running down from higher up.

You obviously have an issue which needs to be addressed, so if you can't figure out where the leak is coming from (let alone fix it), you need to take it to a trained mechanic that can. Sorry.

MudFoots

Yea...no worries. unfortunately, we dont have one of thoes mechanics where I live. Thanks for helping look anyway.

DennisG01

A "good" cleaning means there's no more oil anywhere

As noted, though - find the highest spot - that will at least get you close. Then clean it good and re-observe.

This isn't one where you need a "specialist" mechanic - any decent mechanic can track down a leak.

Add some dye, if you want.

MudFoots

I am having difficulty finding one of those too! Been trying to get the 150k service done since October! Nobody in town wants to do it.

I need One of the portable scissor lifts, gonna use it out in the street where I park!! Do a full engine rebuild there...hahahahahaha!!! Neighbors will love that.

But really, I am thinking about driving to the next town over to find a mechanic. Will need to add hotel room to the cost of repairs! Ugh!

DennisG01

Ah... your "next town over" is not 15 minutes away, then. You're "out there"

MudFoots

Correct!!!
Hence why I am trying to figure it out myself, in the snow, at 25 degrees, along the road, my driveway is dirt. . (Nearest MB dealer is 4.5 hours)

Quint22

Pretty sad when 15 minutes from town to town is out there, use to be 45 min to get into town.

MudFoots

Agreed, thats why I live where I live, an hour to nearest towns and one town is on a dead end road. We have drawbacks, like only having 5 mechanics and they only work on domestic vehicles and toyota trucks.

gone gone gone

Just a WAG, but could it be power steering fluid spraying? I am at a loss as to any other hoses that would leak an oil like substance.

MudFoots

I will check in the morning.
It is such a slow leak I literally dont see any fluid levels going down. I have not checked that one in a while though. Good idea.

Diabolis

That what I was thinking too when you mentioned a cooler - but even if the power steering fluid is leaking, it is not the ONLY leak. There's definitely a lot of fluid running down for it to be power steering fluid... with that much fluid sprayed everywhere, you would have lost all power steering several times over.

DennisG01

I said NOT 15 minutes. Meaning, a lot more than that - as in, he's not in a populous place with multiple shops all within a short distance.

John CC

I used to have a car like that, too.