When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I noticed oil drips on the garage floor and checked and found drips hanging under the transfer case. It's at the dealer for diagnosis now, but anyone else had this? '12 ML350, 53k mi.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 02-20-2018 at 06:37 PM.
Was there any work done on the vehicle recently? Any repair work done on transfer case? or the connected drive-shafts?
Let us know what the dealer's diagnosis is...
Was there any work done on the vehicle recently? Any repair work done on transfer case? or the connected drive-shafts?
Let us know what the dealer's diagnosis is...
No work had been done before this. I am told the "inner seal" needs to be replace which requires removing the transfer case at a cost of $1,439! Seems like a very odd issue to happen at this low mileage. I am contacting the service manager to see if any "goodwill" assistance is available.
"inner seal" of what? sounds like bs to me. If they have to pull the transfer case and crack it open to replace an inner seal seems like it would be way more expensive.
It looks like oil drips are at the end of the bolts. It also looks like the bolts have be wrenched on since new at the factory as there is evidently some visual stripping of the heads. It also looks like there may be a seal under the bolts. If it were my car I would try to find a way seal the bolts with rtv or o-ring type seal. I would be suspicious that is all the dealer will do when charging you $1400
I am definitely suspicious. I have asked the service manager for a better explanation. No work has been done on the car except for routine maintenance, AFAIK.
"inner seal" of what? sounds like bs to me. If they have to pull the transfer case and crack it open to replace an inner seal seems like it would be way more expensive.
It looks like oil drips are at the end of the bolts. It also looks like the bolts have be wrenched on since new at the factory as there is evidently some visual stripping of the heads. It also looks like there may be a seal under the bolts. If it were my car I would try to find a way seal the bolts with rtv or o-ring type seal. I would be suspicious that is all the dealer will do when charging you $1400
Further update: The leak is said to be at the main shaft seal. This does require removing the transfer case. The Assistant Service Manager at the dealership (Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville) has offered a 50% Goodwill assistance. That's the best I could hope for.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 02-21-2018 at 09:24 AM.
Further update: The leak is said to be at the main shaft seal. This does require removing the transfer case. The Assistant Service Manager at the dealership (Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville) has offered a 50% Goodwill assistance. That's the best I could hope for.
Leak from main shaft seal may be migrating to the lower points on the transfer case. That's plausible. After the work is done, keep an eye on that area to make sure the leak doesn't come back.
On my ML350, a leak from the shaft seal was spread on the bell housing and the surrounding area. I took photos and showed them and they replaced the drive shaft (not just the seal) under warranty few months ago.
Leak from main shaft seal may be migrating to the lower points on the transfer case. That's plausible. After the work is done, keep an eye on that area to make sure the leak doesn't come back.
On my ML350, a leak from the shaft seal was spread on the bell housing and the surrounding area. I took photos and showed them and they replaced the drive shaft (not just the seal) under warranty few months ago.
at 31K miles.
I don't understand how they didn't notice the leak during service checkups. Towards the end of last year, as my warranty period was about to expire, I thought I'd check under the truck. After driving the truck on to homemade wooden blocks and removing the belly pan, I can clearly see oil stain on the bell housing, but I couldn't trace the source of the leak. Took some pictures, made an appointment and showed the pics. Tech confirmed the leak and they said the drive shaft seal was leaking. And they gave me a loaner and told me to come back after 3 days. After the drive shaft was replaced, I checked again under the truck. I found the bolts on the cross brace were not tightened (not even finger tight). I think the tech forgot. I took the pics of the cross brace and sent them to service adviser. I tightened the bolts myself. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I noticed something tech forgot to do.
Further update: The leak is said to be at the main shaft seal. This does require removing the transfer case. The Assistant Service Manager at the dealership (Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville) has offered a 50% Goodwill assistance. That's the best I could hope for.
I got the car back yesterday after two days in the shop. Final bill was only $438. In addition to the 50% Goodwill discount, work was billed at warranty rates which reduced it more. So, while this shouldn't have happened, at $1000 off the initial estimate I'm as pleased as possible.
I noticed oil drips on the garage floor and checked and found drips hanging under the transfer case. It's at the dealer for diagnosis now, but anyone else had this? '12 ML350, 53k mi.
Hello Old thread, but i have the same car, and the same leak. w166 ML350BT transfercase input shaft seal leaking. I went to star dealer and bought the new seal, and was planning to do the jobb my self. Mine had dripped for 4-5 mounts, and i got shock when i googled it should be only 0,5 liter oil in there. But before i started the job i got a good advice from a indy workshop. The advice was to drain the transfercase oil, then add new oil, and mix in 3% off a stuff called Omega 917. This omega product softnes the seal and make it seal again. And as long the seal is not damaged it will be ok again with this omega. I went for the advice, and the leak completely stopped. After about 300km driving the leak was gone. And so far, i has not come back, its completely dry under there. When i drained the oil, it was only 0,2 liter left in the transfercase. This is very scary, because the chain inside transfercase will break if it get to little oil, And total volume only 0,5 liters.
How long ago did you add the 917? I've read that these seal softeners are a temporary fix and that the seals start leaking again eventually.
Regardless, I'd try the treatment as well, if I was faced with any oil leaks.
Hello, it was in july this year. So far dry, no leak at all. Its maybe a temp fix, and I'm not surprised if it starts to leak again. But its worth a try So far, so good If the leak come back, i will take the transfercase down, and replace the seal
Hello Old thread, but i have the same car, and the same leak. w166 ML350BT transfercase input shaft seal leaking. I went to star dealer and bought the new seal, and was planning to do the jobb my self. Mine had dripped for 4-5 mounts, and i got shock when i googled it should be only 0,5 liter oil in there. But before i started the job i got a good advice from a indy workshop. The advice was to drain the transfercase oil, then add new oil, and mix in 3% off a stuff called Omega 917. This omega product softnes the seal and make it seal again. And as long the seal is not damaged it will be ok again with this omega. I went for the advice, and the leak completely stopped. After about 300km driving the leak was gone. And so far, i has not come back, its completely dry under there. When i drained the oil, it was only 0,2 liter left in the transfercase. This is very scary, because the chain inside transfercase will break if it get to little oil, And total volume only 0,5 liters.
02-15-2018, 01:46 PM
Old thread, but i have the same car, and the same leak. w166 ML350BT transfercase input shaft seal leaking. I went to star dealer and bought the new seal, and was planning to do the jobb my self. Mine had dripped for 4-5 mounts, and i got shock when i googled it should be only 0,5 liter oil in there. But before i started the job i got a good advice from a indy workshop. The advice was to drain the transfercase oil, then add new oil, and mix in 3% off a stuff called Omega 917. This omega product softnes the seal and make it seal again. And as long the seal is not damaged it will be ok again with this omega. I went for the advice, and the leak completely stopped. After about 300km driving the leak was gone. And so far, i has not come back, its completely dry under there. When i drained the oil, it was only 0,2 liter left in the transfercase. This is very scary, because the chain inside transfercase will break if it get to little oil, And total volume only 0,5 liters.
OMEGA 917
