Mystery oil leak left front - power steering?
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Joined: Apr 2009
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2007 ML 350 - VIN 4JGBB86E17A211020
Mystery oil leak left front - power steering?
Hi MbWorld colleagues....
After hearing some noises from the power steering pump I filled it to the max line on the dip stick bearing in mind that temps change the level to fill.
I now have an oil leak on the left front driver's side of the car...can't be the drain plug as that is on the right side. It roughly a smal Dixie cup worth of oil that appears on the floor in the garage. Its very bright and shiny resembling new oil. I did have the oil changed at the dealer around 200 mi agin.
Before I take it to the dealer (im going to have the serpentine belt and tenshioner replaced at 98K miles) any ideas would be welcome...
After hearing some noises from the power steering pump I filled it to the max line on the dip stick bearing in mind that temps change the level to fill.
I now have an oil leak on the left front driver's side of the car...can't be the drain plug as that is on the right side. It roughly a smal Dixie cup worth of oil that appears on the floor in the garage. Its very bright and shiny resembling new oil. I did have the oil changed at the dealer around 200 mi agin.
Before I take it to the dealer (im going to have the serpentine belt and tenshioner replaced at 98K miles) any ideas would be welcome...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 222
Likes: 7
2007 ML 350 - VIN 4JGBB86E17A211020
I think I found the problem
I just checked the fluid level after driving for a bit...I am obviously overfilling the power steering fluid as it is above the max level for 80 C (and its much cooler here than that!)
The back of the power steering pump is covered with power steering oil so there might be a blow off valve on the back of the unit.
I will use a straw and drain it (but not too much) to a lower level...
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From: N.Jersey and New York, stationed in Germany
W164 ML500,SMART For two,1994 C280(5speed manual) 1999 C230k station wagon
I find it almost impossible to fill it to its proper level, never had that problem in any other Benz that I have owned.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2009
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2007 ML 350 - VIN 4JGBB86E17A211020
Agreed...very hard to set fill level
The trick I used (and since I tasted just a bit of the oil it will likely kill me from cancer in 5 years ) was to put a straw down the filler neck and siphon it out till I got the level right.
Very finicky oil...even the slightest heat causes the level to rise...
I also made sure I had the cap on tight...
) was to put a straw down the filler neck and siphon it out till I got the level right. Very finicky oil...even the slightest heat causes the level to rise...
I also made sure I had the cap on tight...
