2003 E-Class oil leaks?
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2005
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2003 E-Class oil leaks?
I have been told by some MB owners that the 2003 E-Series has a problem with oil leaks. Is this true or just a bad rumor of a few? There are many 2003 E320's and E500's at dealers that are Certified. Let me know before I buy.
Thanks.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Our '03 has been parked overnight in the same spot in our garage, with nothing but bare concrete beneath it, for over three years. So far as I can see it hasn't leaked a single drop of oil or other fluid in that time. Only 27,000 miles on it, though.
Historical side note: Our garage was built in 1937 and it's apparent, from the pattern of ancient oil leaks on the concrete (heavy splotch in front, smaller splotch in the rear, long connecting splotch for the driveshaft) that cars used to routinely leak a lot of oil. Tolerances seem to have tightened a lot in recent decades.
Historical side note: Our garage was built in 1937 and it's apparent, from the pattern of ancient oil leaks on the concrete (heavy splotch in front, smaller splotch in the rear, long connecting splotch for the driveshaft) that cars used to routinely leak a lot of oil. Tolerances seem to have tightened a lot in recent decades.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: LA, California
03 E500 Sport
I have a 03 E500, but I have oil leaking problem last 4 months. originaly I didn't notice , one day when my wife drive the car out , I found the 4 inch spot of engine oil, then I go under , and find the it may be the oil pan, so I took it to Benz dealer, car stay there for 4 days for parts, and back, after few days, new fresh oil drop again, I took it back again,,
total 4 times back and forth, they keep redo anything related to oil pan, both upper level and lower level. the the 5th time, they change a "dip stick seal" , after that , no more leaking , and the car run very smooth.. I think it is because they change engine oil everytime , the oil now is like clear green water :-) ,, very clean,,,,
I went online and find what is dip stick seal.. .. it just 2 rings ..? I still don't know what is this, but it works..
other than that,, no problem at alll...........
ps. if someone know what is dip stick seal,, share with me.. :0
Phil
total 4 times back and forth, they keep redo anything related to oil pan, both upper level and lower level. the the 5th time, they change a "dip stick seal" , after that , no more leaking , and the car run very smooth.. I think it is because they change engine oil everytime , the oil now is like clear green water :-) ,, very clean,,,,
I went online and find what is dip stick seal.. .. it just 2 rings ..? I still don't know what is this, but it works..
other than that,, no problem at alll...........
ps. if someone know what is dip stick seal,, share with me.. :0
Phil
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 8
From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
The dip-stick seal is a ring seal that goes between the tube (that guides the oil dip stick into the oil pan) and the oil pan. This is a very cheap part and if it does leak, it would leak around the oil pan and make it look as if the oil pan seals are leaking. It is such a simple issue that it is often overlooked and causes mechanics to start working on much more complicated items that could be the cause.
You should look at this as if you got a really good engine oil flush! I seriously doubt that this will happen again and is quite rare.
Steve
BTW, I have never had an oil leak on any of my Mercedes cars. Knock on wood!
You should look at this as if you got a really good engine oil flush! I seriously doubt that this will happen again and is quite rare.
Steve
BTW, I have never had an oil leak on any of my Mercedes cars. Knock on wood!
Last edited by SAguirre; Oct 26, 2006 at 02:45 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
You're right -- we don't have dipsticks, and the tube is for siphoning the oil for an oil change (as most dealers do). There is a dipstick that dealers use in case the digital sensor fails -- you can buy one of these from a couple of tool shops, but it's not made to leave in the tube.
BTW, the only oil leaks I've ever heard of people saying were from the level sensor or the tube seal as previously identifed by Steve.
Regards,
paul....
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 6
From: Virginia
17 E300, 17 C300, 14 C250
My former '97 E320 (straight six engine) leaked badly after 100K miles. The straight sixes back then had head gaskets that failed. My former '99 E430 (V8) never dripped a single drop after six years.
My current '05 C320 (V6) is still tight after 18 months as is my year old '06 E350 (V6).
Me thinks the oil leak problem from the straight sixes dropped dramatically with the introduction of the V6.
Lou
My current '05 C320 (V6) is still tight after 18 months as is my year old '06 E350 (V6).
Me thinks the oil leak problem from the straight sixes dropped dramatically with the introduction of the V6.
Lou
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
Oil sensor leak TSB
Here's the link to the TSB that talks about the oil sensor leak
http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-...0-29A/291.html
Regards,
Paul...
http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-...0-29A/291.html
Regards,
Paul...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 8
From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Steve
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville, GA
2003 E500
It seems I'm in the minority, but to answer your
question, YES. I had the car (2003 CPO E500) 29 days, yes DAYS with 29,500 miles on it. It developed a massive oil leak from the passenger side valve covers onto the exhaust manifolds. Let me say that I bought this car for fit, finish, luxury, power, and prestige, and I had NONE of those as I sat at stoplight off of the highway with smoke pouring from the hood. I looked over at the guy in the Accord next to me (probably about a 1995 or so with who-knows-how-many-miles on it) and his look was not "wow, great car" but "uh, dude, your expensive and unreliable car is smoking."
The good news is that the dealer fixed it for free under the MBUSA warranty. The bad news is that the work order said something about "valve cover missing groove seating lower to upper valve cover, nec to R&R lower and upper valve cover". I still don't know exactly what that means, but I wrote a letter to the dealer to which he has responded with a voicemail. This is a coincedence in timing that I read your post tonight, but I am calling him back tomorrow.
All that said, don't get me wrong. I LOVE the car. MB has styling and power that is, well, uncomparable.
I'll report back with what the dealer wants to do about my oil leaking issue.
Mike
The good news is that the dealer fixed it for free under the MBUSA warranty. The bad news is that the work order said something about "valve cover missing groove seating lower to upper valve cover, nec to R&R lower and upper valve cover". I still don't know exactly what that means, but I wrote a letter to the dealer to which he has responded with a voicemail. This is a coincedence in timing that I read your post tonight, but I am calling him back tomorrow.
All that said, don't get me wrong. I LOVE the car. MB has styling and power that is, well, uncomparable.
I'll report back with what the dealer wants to do about my oil leaking issue.
Mike
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
Here's the link to the TSB that talks about the oil sensor leak
http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-...0-29A/291.html
Regards,
Paul...
http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-...0-29A/291.html
Regards,
Paul...
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
07' E350 sport
I have a 03 E500, but I have oil leaking problem last 4 months. originaly I didn't notice , one day when my wife drive the car out , I found the 4 inch spot of engine oil, then I go under , and find the it may be the oil pan, so I took it to Benz dealer, car stay there for 4 days for parts, and back, after few days, new fresh oil drop again, I took it back again,,
total 4 times back and forth, they keep redo anything related to oil pan, both upper level and lower level. the the 5th time, they change a "dip stick seal" , after that , no more leaking , and the car run very smooth.. I think it is because they change engine oil everytime , the oil now is like clear green water :-) ,, very clean,,,,
I went online and find what is dip stick seal.. .. it just 2 rings ..? I still don't know what is this, but it works..
other than that,, no problem at alll...........
ps. if someone know what is dip stick seal,, share with me.. :0
Phil
total 4 times back and forth, they keep redo anything related to oil pan, both upper level and lower level. the the 5th time, they change a "dip stick seal" , after that , no more leaking , and the car run very smooth.. I think it is because they change engine oil everytime , the oil now is like clear green water :-) ,, very clean,,,,
I went online and find what is dip stick seal.. .. it just 2 rings ..? I still don't know what is this, but it works..
other than that,, no problem at alll...........
ps. if someone know what is dip stick seal,, share with me.. :0
Phil
Chris
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 536
Likes: 4
From: Orlando, Florida
**SOLD***2003 E500
Rear main seal leak
I've got a a very small rear main seal leak. Not enough to drip out of the underneath fairing, however when you remove the fairing you see it. Dealer quoted me $375.00 to change it with labor.
My front thrust arms bushings had leaked and is apparently common. Replaced those when I did the lower ball joints.
That's all as far as oil leaks go.
Randy B
My front thrust arms bushings had leaked and is apparently common. Replaced those when I did the lower ball joints.
That's all as far as oil leaks go.
Randy B
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: LA, California
03 E500 Sport
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 27
From: Sharjah
S500 W223 2021
I was searchng for thread in regarding oil leaks..
I have 2003 E500 , and notice since a week an oil leaks , it spots arround three times in every 6 houres car stop.
Dont know if any one had the problem and how do you fix it.
i wish to know the couses..
Regards
I have 2003 E500 , and notice since a week an oil leaks , it spots arround three times in every 6 houres car stop.
Dont know if any one had the problem and how do you fix it.
i wish to know the couses..
Regards
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Our E500 has 72,000 miles and doesn't leak. After 1 service it did drip and used 1 qt of oil between service. I suspect the plug wasn't tight because after the next service there was no leakage and the oil consumption went back to normal.
