Oil leak - FRONT of engine? (642 engine)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
09 E320 Bluetec
Oil leak - FRONT of engine? (642 engine)
OK, I've searched and read the threads about the various possible leaks on the diesel engine (642) including the turbo seal, oil cooler and rear main seal.
Does the oil cooler leak ever look like it's coming from the front of the engine?
I've got drips on the floor and when I changed the oil a couple of weeks ago, it was all over the back of the engine and back of the oil pan area as well as having blown down the length of the car.
The oil plug was dry as a bone, as was the front of the oil pan. There were traces of oil on the left side (dirver's side) of the block, too.
Yesterday, after an airport run (~2.5 hours), when I got home, there was smoke coming from under the car and the engine compartment, so I did some investigating. I pulled the air intake tube and checked the turbo seals and they were normal, with a trace of oil there but nothing major. When looking around the engine compartment, I noticed that the front of the engine had oil residue all over it with a fresh drip clearly visible on the serpentine belt (right/passenger side) when I pulled the intake tube going to the air filter.
I didn't pull the black shroud blocking the view to the whole front of the engine because I don't have the reverse torx sockets yet, so can't say where it's originating from.
Will the oil cooler leak to the front of the engine? What else might it be?
I have an appointment in the morning at the dealer. Problem is, I'm 1800 miles and 3.5 months out of warranty. We'll see what they say, but I thought I'd see what other options might be going on to go in somewhat armed.
Thanks!
Does the oil cooler leak ever look like it's coming from the front of the engine?
I've got drips on the floor and when I changed the oil a couple of weeks ago, it was all over the back of the engine and back of the oil pan area as well as having blown down the length of the car.
The oil plug was dry as a bone, as was the front of the oil pan. There were traces of oil on the left side (dirver's side) of the block, too.
Yesterday, after an airport run (~2.5 hours), when I got home, there was smoke coming from under the car and the engine compartment, so I did some investigating. I pulled the air intake tube and checked the turbo seals and they were normal, with a trace of oil there but nothing major. When looking around the engine compartment, I noticed that the front of the engine had oil residue all over it with a fresh drip clearly visible on the serpentine belt (right/passenger side) when I pulled the intake tube going to the air filter.
I didn't pull the black shroud blocking the view to the whole front of the engine because I don't have the reverse torx sockets yet, so can't say where it's originating from.
Will the oil cooler leak to the front of the engine? What else might it be?
I have an appointment in the morning at the dealer. Problem is, I'm 1800 miles and 3.5 months out of warranty. We'll see what they say, but I thought I'd see what other options might be going on to go in somewhat armed.
Thanks!
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: little rock,ar
E-320 Bluetec
I had my oil cooler re-sealed last week. The service manager says they see it a lot and at 99K miles, it seemed an inevitable cost of ownership of one of these engines. They also replaced the inlet port servo motor that was oil soaked. That's the third one on the engine as it had been replaced at 85K. Hang on to your billfold if you want to own one of these bluetecs, it gets expensive.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
09 E320 Bluetec
I'll be taking it in next week for the repair. The dealership was able to basically flip flop the goodwill, so now I'll pay for parts and MB will pick up the labor tab. Since it's a ~20 hour job, that's a good thing!
I'm mostly satisfied with this arrangement, so have regained confidence in the brand and my dealership again.
I'm mostly satisfied with this arrangement, so have regained confidence in the brand and my dealership again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 18
From: Blaine, WA
07 E320 Bluetec
I had my oil cooler re-sealed last week. The service manager says they see it a lot and at 99K miles, it seemed an inevitable cost of ownership of one of these engines. They also replaced the inlet port servo motor that was oil soaked. That's the third one on the engine as it had been replaced at 85K. Hang on to your billfold if you want to own one of these bluetecs, it gets expensive.
