Hello fellow masochists who still own these cars,

My 2009 ML 320 Blutec leaks oil. Big surprise, I know.

I replaced the oil cooler seals. Turns out they were already the newer purple ones. That made no difference on the amount of oil lost.

I then replaced the gaskets between the oil filter and engine block. That seems to have made some difference - now I get about 300 miles per quart of oil, versus about 100 previously.

What should I replace next?

 

Timing inspection cover? Valve covers? Dipstick tube? I replaced these on mine (albeit the v8 version).

 

If you are leaking as much oil as a 1 quart in 300 miles, the source of the leak should be obvious.

Pressure wash the engine, then watch carefully over time for leaks. With the high rate of leakage you posted, it should be quickly self evident where the oil is coming from.

 

The entire front of the engine is constantly soaked in oil from top to bottom. Serpentine belts keep melting. I am still not able to trace the leak to a single point. I hate this car with the burning passion of a thousand suns.

 

Have you pressure washed the engine? This will help you isolate the source. That much oil sounds like something is flowing from a pressurized or immersed/submerged source. Oil cooler in the engine vee?

 

Chassis, what is "the engine vee"? Intake manifold?

 

Yes, the engine “V”, between the cylinder heads, often under the intake manifold. The OM642 engine has an oil cooler in this location, not sure if yours does. If you post your VIN one of us can look at the parts diagrams and provide more suggestions.

 

I was just asking about what you meant so it can be clarified.