fix a leaking seal?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
fix a leaking seal?
is there any way to seal up where a leak is coming out from, aside from bringing it to the dealer. my main seal is worn out and leaking oil now...not too bad. overnight, leaves a stain in the driveway. so, can i seal it up from where it's leaking out or do i just let it leak away (dealer wants $2800 to fix seal and pump), but told me i didn't have to do it, just keep an eye on the oil level...suggestions? thanks guys.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
Sealing leaks from the outside is normally a wast of money and time. On the other hand you need to find where the oil is originating in the first place, since in most cases the location where the oil finally drops to the floor is not the place where it originated. Often the oil may come from elsewhere and is driven by the coolling air along the engine and then, when the amount is big enough finds its way to drip down, when the car is parked.
The dealer is right if it only a drop here and there, it's nothing to worry about. It can also be caused if you had the car at an oil change and filter change and the mechanic did not work very careful with the old flter and the refilling the new oil.
Sometime its enough to carefully tighten the oil pan screws a bid, but not to hard!!!!
The dealer is right if it only a drop here and there, it's nothing to worry about. It can also be caused if you had the car at an oil change and filter change and the mechanic did not work very careful with the old flter and the refilling the new oil.
Sometime its enough to carefully tighten the oil pan screws a bid, but not to hard!!!!
Last edited by bamberger_1; Sep 10, 2003 at 06:20 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
yea, i have a friend who has the "ramp jacks" so i can lay underneath my car to see really for myself where it's leaking from. From what i took pictures of, looks like right underneath the console area from the interior. there are a few screws there from where i can see it drip down, so maybe it is a loose bolt (hopefully), so i'll see within the week sometime. let you know, thanks for your help.
on the note of the mechanic or a recent job with lube and filter, it was leaking before i brought it into service, so it's all good.
is it normal for something to "run", ie drip a little more, when after shutting off the engine...but once the engine has cooled down, the dripping becomes minimal and very little comes out overnight...
on the note of the mechanic or a recent job with lube and filter, it was leaking before i brought it into service, so it's all good.
is it normal for something to "run", ie drip a little more, when after shutting off the engine...but once the engine has cooled down, the dripping becomes minimal and very little comes out overnight...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
Quote:"is it normal for something to "run", ie drip a little more, when after shutting off the engine...but once the engine has cooled down, the dripping becomes minimal and very little comes out overnight..."
If there is some small leak, it leaks when the engine gets hot more since the oil becomes more "runny". When you stop the engine remains hot for a while and the the oil, driven along the engine by the cooling air, starts to drop downwards. When the engine cools down, the oil gets more sticky and running stops.
For exmaple: 15W40 describes that oil at specified temperatures has different viscosity values.
If there is some small leak, it leaks when the engine gets hot more since the oil becomes more "runny". When you stop the engine remains hot for a while and the the oil, driven along the engine by the cooling air, starts to drop downwards. When the engine cools down, the oil gets more sticky and running stops.
For exmaple: 15W40 describes that oil at specified temperatures has different viscosity values.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
yes. i placed a piece of cardboard underneathe the leak right after i shut off the car and it dripped a good amount. a few hours later, i moved the cardboard a little so i can get another reading of how much was leaking overnight and looked like only a few drops of oil. so not as bad as i thought.
