SL/R230: Oil leak after oil change
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Your moms house
2015 S63 Coupe C217, 2008 C63(X), 2009 C300(X), 2003 SL55(X) , 2013 S550(X)
Oil leak after oil change
Hey guys, I just got an oil change at one of those national chains and he said " wow this is really on there tight it won't budge... " then "wow that's on there good" then after what seemed like a while and him going up and down 2 times he changed the oil then said " you have a leak down there" I thought he meant like a minor leak that was wicking oil or something, but now there is a good half a quart of oil on the driveway....... there wasn't a single drop before that.. any idea what he did (I haven't gotten a chance to crawl under yet, but any suggestions for what he was cranking on I suspect it was the wrong thing... )
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 158
Likes: 18
From: Your moms house
2015 S63 Coupe C217, 2008 C63(X), 2009 C300(X), 2003 SL55(X) , 2013 S550(X)
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From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Considering the oil change is $150 at the dealer - i don't even think twice about dealer vs national chain shop 
( but, of course, always to do it yourself if you know how).
( but, of course, always to do it yourself if you know how).
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 158
Likes: 18
From: Your moms house
2015 S63 Coupe C217, 2008 C63(X), 2009 C300(X), 2003 SL55(X) , 2013 S550(X)
UPDATE: so it just stopped leaking all of a sudden.. I cleaned out the engine really well with de-greaser, pulled all the underarmor plastic and cleaned them with degreaser, and then waited, ready to spot the leak.. I drove over an hour and parked it... left it... put newspaper down... not a drop.. Im thinking he may have over filled it? He put in 9.5 quarts (is that too much?) and is there an overflow valve somewhere that woulda just dumped oil? (there was a LOT after the change enough to get my hand soaked by putting it in the puddle) now it does have a small cloud of white smoke when starting but no more after that (didnt have this before the oil change) and I read that it could be from too much oil also.
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Too much won't cause a leak, most likely he spilled oil somewhere and it was running down, as they don't just stop leaking on their own. 9.5 is a bit overfilled, yes, and can cause some excess smoke as the foamed up oil is drawn into the engine and burned off.
I'd say don't go back to this guy again but hopefully you've already reached that point.
I'd say don't go back to this guy again but hopefully you've already reached that point.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 158
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From: Your moms house
2015 S63 Coupe C217, 2008 C63(X), 2009 C300(X), 2003 SL55(X) , 2013 S550(X)
"I'd say don't go back to this guy"
never will, im just glad he poured it somewhere and there wasn't a more serious issue that would cost a lot of $$
never will, im just glad he poured it somewhere and there wasn't a more serious issue that would cost a lot of $$
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What car is this? Your profile says you have a MY2009 C300, but this is the R230 (2003-2012 SL) forum. If you have an SL500, 9.5 quarts is about 1.5 too many, and yes, could cause leaks and smoke. You need to get it at the right level.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: amarillo texas
2003 sl 500
Is this an 2003 sl 500 (R230)? Are you in the right forum? What does the dash display tell you about the oil level? Do you know how to pull it up? See the manual if not. It is easy to do. I believe it can tell you if overfilled but I have never overfilled mine. It can also tell you if 1 or 2 quarts low. It says OK when in proper range. Mine takes about 7+ qt with draining via the pan bolt. The pan bolt is way far back near where the 2nd and 3rd panels meet. I agree it is way overfilled! Way overfilled. It really bugs me when you pay for something and it is not done right.
moretech
moretech
Last edited by moretech; Mar 22, 2017 at 10:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 158
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From: Your moms house
2015 S63 Coupe C217, 2008 C63(X), 2009 C300(X), 2003 SL55(X) , 2013 S550(X)
I have a 2003 SL 55 AMG so this is the right forum, it was saying 1 quart too full, but I got it on level ground an it was saying oil ok, so maybe it has an overflow valve somewhere ?? Or it I wasn't too over filled
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: amarillo texas
2003 sl 500
I think that model has 2 drain plugs on the pan. One up front also due to oil pan shape. The new smoke cloud bugs me. I'd be tempted to drain a quart and see what the dash display says about the level then. I'm no expert but the indicator may be in a gray area where it is just almost to reporting overfill but not registering it yet. If a little less oil in pan solves your smoke problem you are home free. This indy is definitely "off" the list. Other forum members may comment on the 2 drain plug deal.
moretech
moretech
Last edited by moretech; Mar 23, 2017 at 11:28 AM.
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2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
Regarding the oil stains: it's easy to try adding new oil too quickly. It'll back up in the "pipe" and spill down the side of the engine and onto the underneath pans. Don't ask me how I know.
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Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Your moms house
2015 S63 Coupe C217, 2008 C63(X), 2009 C300(X), 2003 SL55(X) , 2013 S550(X)
So the dumbass at the oil change place only removed one drain bolt and then proceeded to overfill it by 2.5 quarts (probably more because i had a huge puddle in my driveway...) oil reading just kept saying "observe waiting period" no matter what untill i took out 2 quarts on a hunch.. then it said (oil overfilled) so i took out anothyer .5 quarts now it says oil ok... the oil removed was still black (they didnt really change any) and now i gotta go to the dealer... lesson learned..
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: amarillo texas
2003 sl 500
Glad you got it figured out. This is a good thread and keeps all of us mindful about errors made by mechanics unfamiliar with our cars. And!- shows the forum can be a real benefit to us all.
moretech
moretech
