E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

Differential Leaking?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 04-29-2003, 04:35 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Batman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
95 M3, 98 C280, 97 E320 (sold)
Differential Leaking?

I think my differential is leaking fluid on my 97 E320. Has anyone else had this? I'm guessing it's a gasket somewhere. The car has 100k miles on it. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Old 05-05-2003, 08:18 PM
  #2  
Newbie
 
Deep's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Los Gatos, CA
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1997 E420
I noticed the differential leaking about 9 months ago when my 1997 E420 only had about 43K miles. I was surprised a MBZ should have such a problem so soon and have not done anything about it so far.
Old 05-06-2003, 01:45 AM
  #3  
Member
 
MB Life's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: CA
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yeah, I had to replace the seal on the differential housing 3 times on my car. All 3 times it was the dealer doing the work. So far it has not leaked but I think this is a common problem.
Old 05-06-2003, 02:07 PM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Batman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
95 M3, 98 C280, 97 E320 (sold)
You had to replace it 3 times?? How many miles do you have?
Old 05-13-2003, 12:49 PM
  #5  
Member
 
MB Life's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: CA
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I currently have 125,000+ miles on it but the leaking problems all occured before 60,000 miles. There is no more problems at this time and I am hoping that it will be ok.
Old 05-13-2003, 03:56 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
BenzE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2006 E500 4matic Wagon
I know that 4matics are prone to "sweating" on the diffs. Both my 1998 E320 and my 2000 E430 had the problem. Nothing to do.

Leaking? Is it possible the fluid was changed and overfilled?
Old 05-14-2003, 12:13 AM
  #7  
Member
 
MB Life's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: CA
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In my case all 3 leaks did not have anything to do with an over fill.
When they started to leak, I took it to the dealer and the drained and replaced the seal and then re-filled it. I am assuming that the dealer filled it correctly.
Old 05-14-2003, 12:36 PM
  #8  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Batman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
95 M3, 98 C280, 97 E320 (sold)
I don't think mine has been messed with. So, it's due for a flush anyway. I'll just change the seal while I'm at it. Hopefully, that'll fix the problem. I just didn't think it would be leaking already. But, as we all know, stuff happens.
Old 05-14-2003, 01:39 PM
  #9  
Member
 
MB Life's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: CA
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
One thing that I noticed for all 3 leaks that I had was that the leak was not noticeable. There was no leaking under the car. I only noticed the leaks when I took the car to a mercedes mechanic that I use for oil changes. They put it on the lift and I noticed that there were some oil residue around the differential.
So be extra observant and check for any signs of leaks big or small.
Old 05-18-2003, 03:24 AM
  #10  
Newbie
 
acraniotes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
97 E420
Question

A little while back a service tech noted that my diff was leaking, but that it wasn't significant - though he said that I would have to address the problem soon. To date, I have yet to notice any adverse effects from this situation. What exactly should I expect to notice, and how much is this going to cost to fix (I'm at 93,000mi, so I'm no longer under warranty)?

-Adam
Old 05-21-2003, 04:17 AM
  #11  
Member
 
MB Life's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: CA
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
you may not notice anything for awhile.
In my case, I didn't notice any difference in performance. It was only when the vehicle was on a lift that I had a visual on the leak.
I am not sure what it would cost to fix it as all 3 of my leaks were covered under warranty.
Old 05-22-2003, 02:04 AM
  #12  
Member
 
phungpho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: California
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2000 E430 Desert Silver
Same problem on E430

There was no leaking under the car just some oil residue around the differential.

I got exactly the same problem when my car was brand new (5 Miles). They fixed it and so far so good. It has been almost 3 years now. Will see.
Old 09-20-2006, 01:24 AM
  #13  
Junior Member
 
cerritos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 23
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by MB Life
It was only when the vehicle was on a lift that I had a visual on the leak.
I noticed the same thing on my 2001 E320 (35k miles). There are oil residues on the top side of the differential case. Strange.
Old 09-20-2006, 02:02 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Penn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 251
Received 36 Likes on 27 Posts
GLE 350D GLC 250D, Previous vehicles W204, W164, W163, W210 & W202
Originally Posted by cerritos
I noticed the same thing on my 2001 E320 (35k miles). There are oil residues on the top side of the differential case. Strange.
There is a breather on the top of the diff.

My 1998 E320 also has some oil on the top of the diff. The local MB specialist told me he is more worried when he sees a diff with no oil on it.
Old 09-20-2006, 08:35 AM
  #15  
Junior Member
 
cerritos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 23
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In my case, the top side of the diff. case is moist, it's not soaked and there is no drips forming. I wiped it clean and after 3000 miles, there is no sign of new oil.

How does the breather work? Does it let the oil out if there are too much oil in it?
Old 09-21-2006, 05:42 AM
  #16  
Junior Member
 
cerritos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 23
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Penn
My 1998 E320 also has some oil on the top of the diff. The local MB specialist told me he is more worried when he sees a diff with no oil on it.
That is an ineresting comment from that MB specialist. I'd interpret it as saying that don't worry if there are oil on the diff. The oil came out from the breather when there are excess oil in the diff.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Differential Leaking?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:22 AM.