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A couple weeks ago I installed a rear main seal/replaced the old one that was leaking.
The new one is leaking, but leaking worse. I'm not an idiot, but I'm not an expert either. I don't have experience replacing these rear main seals, and now I have no choice but to do this again.
I was told that newer rear main seals use a different technology and need to be installed bone-dry. That's what I did although I did not corroborate this information. It goes against what I know (applying thin layer of oil, install seal, and let sit). I used the included installer to press the seal in and let it sit overnight before doing the rest of the work. I did not mar or scratch the surface of the crankcase. I didn't do anything to the housing which I probably should have in retrospect, and will likely do now after this first failure (I believe Mercedes has an RTV seal here similar to the engine oil pan.
On a second note, there is a hydraulic line that runs over the Bell Housing/Transmission from what seems to be the back of the ABC pump to I believe the first valve block containing the pulsation damper. I'm not 100% sure. Replacing this line requires removing the transmission, and I am considering preventively replacing it when I have the transmission out again. I've spoken to two separate mercedes dealerships, and they are unable to give me a part number for this. I tried checking WIS myself and still couldn't find this line. Does anyone have any idea?
Pictures:
Old rear main seal:
New Rear Main Seal (faulty):
Unknown hydraulic line (wrapped in reflective stuff):
I would take the old line to a hydraulic shop and make a new one, reusing end connections. I recently replaced the entire ABC struts with coilovers after replacing 3 hoses that popped on my 2001 S-600. I realized all hoses were doomed from rusting of wire reinforcement due to failure of rubber jackets on the 21 year old lines. Any flexure of the old lines breaks the wire reinforcing leading to certain soon failures.
I simply did not have the wherewithal to redo all the hoses in the system. I wish I had the energy to redo them all and keep the ABC though.
I would take the old line to a hydraulic shop and make a new one, reusing end connections. I recently replaced the entire ABC struts with coilovers after replacing 3 hoses that popped on my 2001 S-600. I realized all hoses were doomed from rusting of wire reinforcement due to failure of rubber jackets on the 21 year old lines. Any flexure of the old lines breaks the wire reinforcing leading to certain soon failures.
I simply did not have the wherewithal to redo all the hoses in the system. I wish I had the energy to redo them all and keep the ABC though.
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