E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Oil in Coolant Reservoir. Replace Oil Cooler?

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Old 01-14-2014, 09:22 PM
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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

Last edited by topracer; 01-15-2014 at 09:53 AM.
Old 01-15-2014, 08:25 AM
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First I owe you an apology---I was doing something from memory and not checking the documentation!!

On a 272 or 273 engine the oil cooler is also cooled with engine coolant and therefore your attachment is very correct.

I am sorry for the confusion I caused!!

Last edited by Plutoe; 01-15-2014 at 12:21 PM.
Old 01-15-2014, 09:10 AM
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My guess, transmission, nothing that can't be fixed without changing radiator and transmission.
Old 01-15-2014, 09:57 AM
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Insufficient evidence

+1 on Plutoe's thoughts. The dealer appears to be guessing in re. the source. More facts and diagnostics are needed before beginning repairs.

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Old 01-15-2014, 09:59 AM
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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.
Old 01-15-2014, 10:08 AM
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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.
Old 01-15-2014, 02:11 PM
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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.
Attached Thumbnails Oil in Coolant Reservoir.  Replace Oil Cooler?-2014-01-15-07.36.10.jpg   Oil in Coolant Reservoir.  Replace Oil Cooler?-img_20140115_073645.jpg  
Old 01-15-2014, 03:25 PM
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If you go back to post 2---you will see where I amended my post and apologized the confusion I caused---you and the tech are very correct
Old 01-15-2014, 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by topracer
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.
He is right.
Old 01-15-2014, 11:39 PM
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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
Old 01-16-2014, 06:18 AM
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The 272 180 05 10-----is the current part number and do not forget the gasket 272 184 02 80

The change out is very streight forward.

Last edited by Plutoe; 01-20-2014 at 03:12 PM.
Old 02-18-2015, 08:42 PM
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I'm having this exact problem with oil leak around oil cooler, can I just replace gasket?
Thanks
Old 02-18-2015, 09:14 PM
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Any diy for this repair? All I found was for e55's
Old 02-18-2015, 09:29 PM
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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.
Old 02-18-2015, 10:54 PM
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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.
Originally Posted by 211.070
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.
Old 02-19-2015, 12:53 PM
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Is it too cold to do the flush and should I have the dealer do it?
Originally Posted by 211.070
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.
Old 02-19-2015, 07:58 PM
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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
Old 02-19-2015, 09:56 PM
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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?
Originally Posted by 211.070
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
Old 02-19-2015, 10:02 PM
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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.
Old 02-19-2015, 10:08 PM
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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
Originally Posted by 211.070
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.
Old 02-20-2015, 08:05 AM
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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.
Originally Posted by 211.070
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.
Old 08-21-2015, 03:03 AM
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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?
Old 08-21-2015, 08:09 AM
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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.
Old 08-21-2015, 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by cmriv
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.
Thanks for the reply. I checked online it appears they've done away with a separate oil cooler and it's now coming as part of the oil filter/cooler housing (part no. 2721800510). Is it correct?

Last edited by StereoTomy; 08-21-2015 at 09:15 AM.
Old 08-21-2015, 10:17 AM
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Dawn dishwashing detergent is a better surfactant for removing oil than Tide.


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