Oil in Coolant Reservoir. Replace Oil Cooler?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
2006 E350 4matic
Oil in Coolant Reservoir. Replace Oil Cooler?
MB dealer found oil (assuming engine oil) in coolant reservoir on my 2006 E350 4matic. They have suggested replacing the oil cooler and seals. The cost is $700.
Does anyone have experienced the same problem? Is replacing the oil cooler and seals the solution? Any DIY help
Does anyone have experienced the same problem? Is replacing the oil cooler and seals the solution? Any DIY help
Last edited by topracer; Jan 15, 2014 at 09:53 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
2006 E350 4matic
I removed the similar link. However, I am confused more. On the repair quote by the Mercedes dealer, it said "COOLANT RESERVOIR HAS OIL IN IT - REPLACE OIL COOLER, AND SEALS". They specifically said it is the Engine Oil Cooler, not Transmission Oil Cooler.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
So ask them how oil from the oil cooler gets into the coolant reservoir?
Then ask them how they ruled out either a blown head gasket and/or a crack in the block or head.
Then ask them how they ruled out either a blown head gasket and/or a crack in the block or head.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
2006 E350 4matic
More confusion. I have spoken to a MB technician who said coolant does run into engine oil cooler, and there are seals to separate oil and coolant. If the seals or cooler go bad, oil can mix with coolant.
If the technician is right, it supports what the dealer found and recommended.
Attached are the pictures of the oil cooler on my car and signs of leak.
If the technician is right, it supports what the dealer found and recommended.
Attached are the pictures of the oil cooler on my car and signs of leak.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 430
Likes: 6
From: USA, EU
06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
2006 E350 4matic
Thanks for all the helps. Looks like the oil cooler p# "A 272 180 04 10" is what I need. Is "A 272 180 05 10" the same as "A 272 180 04 10"? Any DIY instructions?
http://www.mbpartsworld.com/p/Merced...721800510.html
http://www.mbpartsworld.com/p/Merced...721800510.html
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 714
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
2005- E55, 2007 GL450, 94 B3000
This is quite a common problem with the 272/273 motors. Replacing the seal alone will not fix the entire problem you have at this point. You will need to flush the cooling system to remove the oil from it. This is a time consuming process, but is fairly simple. The expansion tank should also be replaced as well. Tide detergent works quite well to remove the oil deposits.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 310
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
S211 E350 wagon, w211 e550 4matic, w210 2001 e320, 2023 glb250, 2013 Audi q7
Ok so I just replaced the gasket and those thoughts just ran through my mind oil change and flush. Thanks for your reply. Now how do I do the flush & when you say. Expansion tank must be replaced you mean coolant in their correct? I don't wanna sound far out there lol but that's where I added the coolant?
A diy on the flush and expansion tank will help a lot.
I'm gonna goto the dealer tomorrow to get coolant.
A diy on the flush and expansion tank will help a lot.
I'm gonna goto the dealer tomorrow to get coolant.
This is quite a common problem with the 272/273 motors. Replacing the seal alone will not fix the entire problem you have at this point. You will need to flush the cooling system to remove the oil from it. This is a time consuming process, but is fairly simple. The expansion tank should also be replaced as well. Tide detergent works quite well to remove the oil deposits.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 310
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
S211 E350 wagon, w211 e550 4matic, w210 2001 e320, 2023 glb250, 2013 Audi q7
Is it too cold to do the flush and should I have the dealer do it?
This is quite a common problem with the 272/273 motors. Replacing the seal alone will not fix the entire problem you have at this point. You will need to flush the cooling system to remove the oil from it. This is a time consuming process, but is fairly simple. The expansion tank should also be replaced as well. Tide detergent works quite well to remove the oil deposits.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 714
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
2005- E55, 2007 GL450, 94 B3000
You can do the flush yourself. The longer that there is oil in the rubber hoses. The more damage that will be done to them.
As I stated it is a very easy process, but takes time to do a thorough cleaning.
1) Drain the coolant
2) Mix one scoop of Tide detergent in to solution in a gallon of hot water
3) Fill the cooling system with the Tide mixture, and water.
4) Run the engine for 30-45 minutes
5) Drain the Tide mixture
6) Fill the cooling system with water
7) Run the engine for 20 minutes
8) Drain the water
9) Repeat steps 7/8 until water is clear
10) Severe cases will require the entire process to be repeated
11) Replace the expansion tank
12) Fill with 50/50 mixture of coolant, and water
As I stated it is a very easy process, but takes time to do a thorough cleaning.
1) Drain the coolant
2) Mix one scoop of Tide detergent in to solution in a gallon of hot water
3) Fill the cooling system with the Tide mixture, and water.
4) Run the engine for 30-45 minutes
5) Drain the Tide mixture
6) Fill the cooling system with water
7) Run the engine for 20 minutes
8) Drain the water
9) Repeat steps 7/8 until water is clear
10) Severe cases will require the entire process to be repeated
11) Replace the expansion tank
12) Fill with 50/50 mixture of coolant, and water
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 310
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
S211 E350 wagon, w211 e550 4matic, w210 2001 e320, 2023 glb250, 2013 Audi q7
I set up an appointment for tomorrow at the dealer for a flush. Cost is $144.99. It's in the single digits over here in va with a wind chill in the negative. I didn't think it be wise to run water in these temp's. Do you think they will flush the system good enough? And what is the reason to replace the expansion tank and cost?
You can do the flush yourself. The longer that there is oil in the rubber hoses. The more damage that will be done to them.
As I stated it is a very easy process, but takes time to do a thorough cleaning.
1) Drain the coolant
2) Mix one scoop of Tide detergent in to solution in a gallon of hot water
3) Fill the cooling system with the Tide mixture, and water.
4) Run the engine for 30-45 minutes
5) Drain the Tide mixture
6) Fill the cooling system with water
7) Run the engine for 20 minutes
8) Drain the water
9) Repeat steps 7/8 until water is clear
10) Severe cases will require the entire process to be repeated
11) Replace the expansion tank
12) Fill with 50/50 mixture of coolant, and water
As I stated it is a very easy process, but takes time to do a thorough cleaning.
1) Drain the coolant
2) Mix one scoop of Tide detergent in to solution in a gallon of hot water
3) Fill the cooling system with the Tide mixture, and water.
4) Run the engine for 30-45 minutes
5) Drain the Tide mixture
6) Fill the cooling system with water
7) Run the engine for 20 minutes
8) Drain the water
9) Repeat steps 7/8 until water is clear
10) Severe cases will require the entire process to be repeated
11) Replace the expansion tank
12) Fill with 50/50 mixture of coolant, and water
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 714
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
2005- E55, 2007 GL450, 94 B3000
The flush that they are doing at that price will not rid the system of all of the oil. The coolant expansion tank has many baffles in it. There is not a heavy enough flow rate to clean all of the oil deposits out of it. That is why you should replace the reservoir. You could also remove it, and use brake cleaner to clean it out if you wanted to.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 310
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
S211 E350 wagon, w211 e550 4matic, w210 2001 e320, 2023 glb250, 2013 Audi q7
There is hardly any sign of oil in the coolant other then a kinda sheen in the expansion tank. I will tell them why I'm flushing and ask them what kinda flush there doing
The flush that they are doing at that price will not rid the system of all of the oil. The coolant expansion tank has many baffles in it. There is not a heavy enough flow rate to clean all of the oil deposits out of it. That is why you should replace the reservoir. You could also remove it, and use brake cleaner to clean it out if you wanted to.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 310
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
S211 E350 wagon, w211 e550 4matic, w210 2001 e320, 2023 glb250, 2013 Audi q7
Ok so I'm at the dealer now and the SA just told me the tech suggested pulling the expansion tank and cleaning it out because just like you stated it wouldn't get all that oil out.
Total 230.00 and there using some BG product to flush it. Hey man you where def. on the money, not that I doubted you but it's way to cold for me to do it outside. Thanks so much for your advice and expertise!!
Oil change last night was a killer, could only get 3 quarts in at a time before having to get inside to warm my hands up.
Total 230.00 and there using some BG product to flush it. Hey man you where def. on the money, not that I doubted you but it's way to cold for me to do it outside. Thanks so much for your advice and expertise!!
Oil change last night was a killer, could only get 3 quarts in at a time before having to get inside to warm my hands up.
The flush that they are doing at that price will not rid the system of all of the oil. The coolant expansion tank has many baffles in it. There is not a heavy enough flow rate to clean all of the oil deposits out of it. That is why you should replace the reservoir. You could also remove it, and use brake cleaner to clean it out if you wanted to.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
E350 2008
I am sorry for reviving the thread, but I've got same issue with oil leaking through the gasket.
Question: is it necessary to replace the cooler as well? There is no oil that I can see in the expansion tank that I can see.
Question: Is the oil cooler known for going bad?
Question: is it necessary to replace the cooler as well? There is no oil that I can see in the expansion tank that I can see.
Question: Is the oil cooler known for going bad?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 46
From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
Very common problem. If you go to a dealer it's cheaper to replace the entire oil filter housing then just re-sealing. Which makes sense because more labor is involved if you re-seal vs just replacing. This is a very common problem with 272/273 motors. The early you fix it the better.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
E350 2008
Very common problem. If you go to a dealer it's cheaper to replace the entire oil filter housing then just re-sealing. Which makes sense because more labor is involved if you re-seal vs just replacing. This is a very common problem with 272/273 motors. The early you fix it the better.
Last edited by StereoTomy; Aug 21, 2015 at 09:15 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2010 CL 63
oil in coolant
Hello folks
Been trying to find out why I have oil in my coolant, read all comments in all and any MBZ forums. Most everyone suggested, head bolts, head gasket, radiator, ...etc. Well, let me tell you folks of my story. I got a 2010 CL 63 oil mixing in the coolant tank, long story short, I was too lazy to put coolant so I used water for about 3 months. the water caused corrosion in my heat exchanger, (located under right fender), had it tested by a radiator shop the 1st time and it look good, scratching my head, so I asked the rad. shop to wash out the old oil in the cooler and retest, sour thing. once we connected air to it and submerged the cooler in water bubbbbbles. don't let anyone talk you into head job, or head bolts, test your cooler. eazy to pull out, test and its only $250. end of my story. thank you all.
Been trying to find out why I have oil in my coolant, read all comments in all and any MBZ forums. Most everyone suggested, head bolts, head gasket, radiator, ...etc. Well, let me tell you folks of my story. I got a 2010 CL 63 oil mixing in the coolant tank, long story short, I was too lazy to put coolant so I used water for about 3 months. the water caused corrosion in my heat exchanger, (located under right fender), had it tested by a radiator shop the 1st time and it look good, scratching my head, so I asked the rad. shop to wash out the old oil in the cooler and retest, sour thing. once we connected air to it and submerged the cooler in water bubbbbbles. don't let anyone talk you into head job, or head bolts, test your cooler. eazy to pull out, test and its only $250. end of my story. thank you all.
