M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.

Old Nov 16, 2018 | 02:56 PM
  #1  
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Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.

Hi All,
2014ML blutec 85K on it. Developed some leak pics attached. Taking it to a indi shop for evaluation. But more likely will join the famous club with membership around $3K.
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo957.jpg
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo129.jpg
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo624.jpg
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Old Nov 16, 2018 | 05:15 PM
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Aw geez Dan. So sorry to read about this. I'm sure this will push you over the edge to get rid of the truck, you were on the fence to begin with.

Can you give me an idea of driving conditions. Where do you live, are you stuck in traffic often etc?

Edit: Not sure, but doesn't the leak manifest itself at the back of the engine at the bell-housing?
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Old Nov 16, 2018 | 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by peter2772000
Aw geez Dan. So sorry to read about this. I'm sure this will push you over the edge to get rid of the truck, you were on the fence to begin with.

Can you give me an idea of driving conditions. Where do you live, are you stuck in traffic often etc?
Hey Peter,
I live near Seattle, WA. My daily commute 32 miles side roads, not so much traffic.
On weekends we do a lot of road trips, averaging 1700 miles per month.

Yes, I'm really considering to ged rid of it, but still thinking. Like the truck, comfort, only one big mistake, should get gas version instead.

Not sure if I should ask MercedesUSA for help, it has 85K miles on it.
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Old Nov 17, 2018 | 05:35 AM
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I doubt MB will do anything at all, you're way past the warranty. Bring it to an indy and find out where the leak is coming from to begin with. I could swear I read that an oil cooler leak causes oil to drip down the bell-housing, not the front of the engine
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Old Nov 17, 2018 | 10:35 AM
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Ouch. I was under the impression the 2014 Bluetec's have the updated Viton seals for the oil cooler that are less prone to leak. Is that not the case? Following, as my 2014 Bluetec has a oil leak I have yet to diagnose.
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Old Nov 17, 2018 | 11:24 AM
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The updated seals leak as well. Supposedly due to the excessive heat under the hood. From what I've read, the original seals were supple enough for proper sealing but couldn't handle the heat, and the revised versions handle the heat better but don't have the sealing performance.

Screwed if you do, screwed if you don't. I pop the belly pan and engine cover in the summer, hoping that'll help.
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Old Nov 17, 2018 | 12:54 PM
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Some updates, indy shop can't take it till the 26Th. And as Peter mention it should leak towards the back of the engine and trany.
That gave me hope, so I got under the truck.

There was a lot of oil, most of it on the passenger side.
The oil pan looked strange, oil all the bolts
But also around sensor.
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo869.jpg

Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo910.jpg

At this point I was thinking I need new oil pan gasket and maybe sensor.

Because its so confusing, and it is the lowest point I decided to clean it all and drive.
So, started to clean, from bottom to up.

When I got to the left side, I notice the front of the car has oil all over, so cleaned that, than it was oil on alternator.
Alternator is right above the oil cap, there is a rubber around it, took it off and it has some oil.
At this point I was wow, maybe its just oil can gasket simple as that.
Than I notice oil wet spots on engine cover,

Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo894.jpg

Its definitely signs for excessive pressure, so I had to take air intake off.
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo327.jpg
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo136.jpg
It was way more oil that it was last time 15K ago when I took it off to get to the fuel filter.

After cleaning installed the air intake back without connecting bent tube. Started the engine and air does comes from the vent tube so thats ok. Could be faulty valve but because the air with some smog coming out it looks like ok.

So, now. I have it all back, cleaned and going to drive it layer today and inspect tonight.

Thanks for reading this.

Last edited by DanD.; Nov 17, 2018 at 12:57 PM.
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Old Nov 17, 2018 | 01:54 PM
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I don't understand, where's the oil coming from and why do you have traces of it in the air-intake.
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Old Nov 17, 2018 | 04:36 PM
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My ML 350 Bluetec has 57,000 miles. I noticed oil leak and I went to dealer and they said is the turbo seal (or something similar related to torbo) leaking.
They replaced that and noticed that was still a leak...so they replaced the oil cooler. Total bill: $4,000...fortunately I've had purchased extended warranty before 50k miles and I didn't have to pay a dime
It looks that this leak is a common problem for diesel Bluetec SUV's.

BTW Speaking of leaking an off topic question: Does anyone know where I can get an oil drain plug gasket for my ML 350 Bluetec, and if is there a MB part number for this tiny little part?

Last edited by MBenz777; Nov 17, 2018 at 04:40 PM.
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Old Nov 18, 2018 | 03:12 AM
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I got drain gasket from dealer, two gaskets and one drain plug was about 14$.

Part number 007603-012102

Last edited by DanD.; Nov 18, 2018 at 12:10 PM.
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Old Nov 18, 2018 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by DanD.
I got drain gasket from dealer, two gaskets and one drain plug was about 14$.

Part number 007603-012102
I got yesterday a set of 3 gaskets from O'Reilly Auto Parts for about $4 and I am pretty sure they fit the drain plug.

Thank you for your reply.
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Old Nov 18, 2018 | 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by DanD.
I got drain gasket from dealer, two gaskets and one drain plug was about 14$.

Part number 007603-012102
I've Google the Part Number and this is what popped up:

Fischer & Plath Metal Seal Ring / Washer; 12x16x1.5mm; Copper
SKU: 007603-012102 $0.26

https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/140397...SABEgKFWvD_BwE

Last edited by MBenz777; Nov 18, 2018 at 07:43 PM.
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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 12:41 PM
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I thing I will pass this time joining the club. After cleaning and replacing a few seals, two days not even one drop.
Still unknown where originally oil came from. Because it was on alternator I assumed it came from oil cup.

Bottom engine cover show kind of a lot of it
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo727.jpg


For now, Im still happy owner of ML.
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Old Nov 20, 2018 | 02:33 AM
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Awesome bud!!!
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 02:06 PM
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2014 GL350 Bluetec X166
Originally Posted by DanD.
I thing I will pass this time joining the club. After cleaning and replacing a few seals, two days not even one drop.
Still unknown where originally oil came from. Because it was on alternator I assumed it came from oil cup.

Bottom engine cover show kind of a lot of it
Attachment 418623


For now, Im still happy owner of ML.
what did you clean and what seals did you replace? I may have the same issue that you have.
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Bern6389
what did you clean and what seals did you replace? I may have the same issue that you have.
1. Turbo seal
2. Air Filter seals. Both sides.
3. Breather seal. Left side in air-intake.
4. Oil cap. New
5. Air filters new.

So far so good. Let me know if you have any questions.
Attached Thumbnails Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo32.jpg   Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo894.jpg  
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 03:53 PM
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2014 GL350 Bluetec X166
Originally Posted by DanD.
1. Turbo seal
2. Air Filter seals. Both sides.
3. Breather seal. Left side in air-intake.
4. Oil cap. New
5. Air filters new.

So far so good. Let me know if you have any questions.
do you have the PN of the Breather seal and turbo seal? That doesn’t look like the one I purchased.

And thank you for your help.
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 03:53 PM
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Apparently this turbo seal is a common problem, I've heard several people having leaks because of failure of that seal, including my car was having the same problem.
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Bern6389
do you have the PN of the Breather seal and turbo seal? That doesn’t look like the one I purchased.

And thank you for your help.
This is breather seal, if you have original as mine, cut it by the edge.
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo922.jpg

Turbo seal
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo158.jpg
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 07:50 PM
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2014 GL350 Bluetec X166
Originally Posted by DanD.
This is breather seal, if you have original as mine, cut it by the edge.
Attachment 418664

Turbo seal
Attachment 418663
thank you sir! Looks like I got the same stuff. What do you mean cut it by the edge?
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 09:03 PM
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Right this way,
Looks like I will join the famous oil cooler leak club.-photo541.jpg
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by MBenz777
Apparently this turbo seal is a common problem, I've heard several people having leaks because of failure of that seal, including my car was having the same problem.
I really don't think oil came from this seal, when I took it off I didn't see any fresh oil.
This seal was replaced 17K miles ago, when I changed fuel filter. But I can tell seal was very soft compare to the new.
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Old Dec 23, 2018 | 02:09 PM
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Ml bluetec
Originally Posted by Bern6389


do you have the PN of the Breather seal and turbo seal? That doesn’t look like the one I purchased.

And thank you for your help.
the orange turbo inlet seal should be replaced with oil changes they only about $25 and easy to do.
but if u got oil leak at the bottom it may be oil cooler
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