applecarplay

My 70,000 miles GLE 350 has engine oil leak symptom now. The dealer told me it is pretty common for W166, not sure if yours are the same. Last time I changed my engine oil was 1 year ago, and there is no low oil level warning. The oil leak seems minor. Wondering if I should leave it as it and consequence of it. Or if I pay money to fix it, how much the repair cost seems reasonable.

kajtek1

I would consider that oil sweating and seeing it on top, I would double check if that might be oil change spill.
Wash it with garden hose on warm engine and recheck few days later.

applecarplay

Thanks kajtek1 for this revealing advice, I'll clean and see. How long the spilled oil can usually stay?

shotgun_banjo

You crazy!? do not use water. Use brake cleaner instead.

kajtek1

Been using water for engine washing for almost 50 years.
You can always eat from my engines.
Only gasoline Fiat, when I over sprayed on ignition wires would misfire for a kilometer, but then engine heat would dry the wires off.

rapidoxidation

I'd be very hesitant to use brake cleaner around anything that isn't metal (plastic, wire insulation, rubber boots, etc.). It's pretty neat what solvents like that can do to soft bits.

sub786sub

I beleive it is just a spillover when changing oil. I know lot of mechanics do not care but I do. I like engine spotless clean. I noticed it is very easy for these engine to have a spillover. If you note it is hard to stick the funnel. It happened with me too. I cleaned all front area with brake cleaner. Also did steam clean. And washed it. Dirt is more harmful than break cleaner as it grinds the seal when pulleys spin. Also washing with water right after the break cleaner in that area should be ok. Let it dry after washing. I also prefer warm engine not hot as it evaporates liquid quickly.. Thats what I have been doing for more than 30 years in taking care of my cars in case of oil spill. It's is one time thing in few years anyway. I never had an issue. I never spray water directly or liquids on terminals especially fuse box..

chassis

Clean it up and keep an eye on it.

shotgun_banjo

[QUOTE=rapidoxidation;8928904]I'd be very hesitant to use brake cleaner around anything that isn't metal (plastic, wire insulation, rubber boots, etc.). It's pretty neat what solvents like that can do to soft bits.[/QUOT off course you take caution. cover what needs to be covered. if that is actual oil leak and it soaked the belt you need to replace the belt.

juanmor40

i have cleaned these oily areas 3 different ways over the years, and of course, any of them in excess can create a problem:
Always use eye protection to prevent particles or other substance come back to your eyes

1 - Water, but with some much electrical stuff around, I currently avoid it.
2 - Brake cleaner, usually by wetting a thin brush and then rubbing on the dirty area. or a wet rag with brake cleaner
3 - Compressed air.

Number (3) seems more effective since I do not worry much about wetting anything, but being careful not to point full pressure on certain areas, or at angles where the displaced dirt does not come back to my face.

and to the OP original question, same advice already provided by others -> Clean it and monitor it. Not worth getting the chance of a bad job and making it worse for a cosmetic issue at this point.

Baltistyle

30 years for me on all different makes and models. Pressure washer and all. Even if I use brake cleaner it is immediately washed with water. Do it on a warm engine or right after starting so that you don’t spray a hot manifold and possibly crack it. Never and issue with spraying Mercedes, bmw, audi, dodge, jeep, Ford, Mitsubishi, Lexus.

don’t spray it into anything electrical or mechanical with direct pressure.

applecarplay

Thank you all for providing the insightful advice. It helps a lot. Agree that it is I'll try to clean it with brake cleaner and monitor it. I post update if anything new comes up.