I was driving my 1998 E320 today and then all of a sudden my dashboard showed Engine oil below minimum. I immediately pulled over and then open the hood and there was smoke everywhere. The oil was all over the engine bay and then I noticed as I was pulled over on the shoulder all the remaining oil came out. I got the car home via tow, cleaned everything and could NOT find a leak. I have not driven it yet. Any suggestions on where it might have come from. The screw to the oil bin is there so I know it did not come from there as I change my oil at home and the gasket around the oil filter is a nice seal as well and no oil there. Could it be from a gasket?
Any help or suggestions would be helpful.

Thank
Niral

 

Have you checked your oil filter?

 

Oil shooting all over means it was at pressure, which points to a gasket or hole on the upper end of the engine. Should have stopped with engine off, though. besides oil filter/housing and valve covers, there is also a small gasket on the front of the engine near the idler pulley called the oil pressure test port. Also check the timing cover around the crank pulley. Harmonic balancer failure can puncture it.
This is how I would approach it if still not visible:
- remove belly pan
- clean engine as well as possible (which you already did)
- refill oil, checking for leaks before starting
- if none found, have someone else start the car briefly while you look for the source of the leak

 

I found the leak. The ring for the oil filter cover did not sit properly. I am going to get new o-ring and will also change the oil filter cover as well.

Appreciate the help mercedes4ever and Hirnbeiss

 

Note also that some cheap filters (like Purolator's) can have an o-ring too thin to seal properly.