I noticed a oil leak on my concrete driveway. Called my neighbor (Service Advisor for the last 10 years.) We brought the car in and he brought me back to show me the issue. The aftermarket pulley system had left a gap in the crank, seeping oil. This is not covered under warranty and they will have to put back to stock. Anybody else ever have this issue?

My neighbor is giving me discounts on parts and labor to lessen the blow.

 

What parts need to be replaced? who installed the pulley? You should send the pulley back to where ever you bought it from and have them check it out for you.

 

I haven't had this issue, but have only been driving with a 180 for 5000 miles or so. Also, my pulley is from a different manufacturer, not sure if that makes a difference. It would suck to have to go back to stock though, especially if you're tuned for a 180. Hope it all works out ok.

 

I bought the car with mods from an owner on this forum. MB told me that the pulleys and belts need to be removed to see where it was leaking from first. They used a mirror stick and saw where the leak was but could not confirm. They removed them and that is when they showed me where it is leaking. I am not an MB tech but I trust my friend. He told me that the way the mod is set up is not exactly how the stock sits inside the crank. This tiny space difference caused the oil to leak. So, no choice but for them to repair by using stock parts.

 

It might just be the front seal , which if thats the case your not to bad off. Who did you buy the car from?

 

It was from chawkins. MB, explained it was that it does not have a seal. The stock set up is a perfect fit and does not require a seal. the modded set up can be a #$%& hair off, which causes the leak. I will know more tomorrow on the exact parts but I know the pulley set up is needed to replace to stock.

 

I don't know if this will help you much, but I did have an oil leak before modding the car. It never puddled, but my mechanic said it was worn out seals at 55000 miles. I hope MB isn't just trying to get you to pay for something by blaming it on the mods. Good luck.

 

No it for sure has a front crank seal i have one sitting in my garage that I never had to use. Just post up what they tell you tomorrow.

 

I would probably think the same way but my service advisor for the last ten years and is also my neighbor/drinking buddy.

 

Will do.

 

Theres guy that have had pullies on for hundreds of thousands of miles. So could it just have been the install?

 

How much HP will I lose by going back to stock pulley set up?

 

Not informed enough about MB modding to know either way. I will post once I get the facts from my SA

 

What do you think renntech? could it have been the install?

 

I would think you are gonna loose close to 80hp.

 

I dont think you should go back just yet until you know what the exact problem is. Its not just about loosing power its about how your car will run with it not being tuned properly. I think it will be running rich if you go back to 158mm pulley which is better then lean but I think it wont be fun to drive.

 

like I said it could just be the front seal which, IIRCC arent MB seals arte a week point to start with?

 

Suggestions on what to do? When I was in there today, they told me that they would not put the modded parts back on because of the fitment. They have it all apart now so it would be costly to go elsewhere.

 

Like I said just wait and see what they say needs to be replaced. Then maybe send the pulley to Eurocharged to be inspected then you they should be able to tell you if its a bad pulley.So then you would know if its a bad install or just a bad seal.

 

Is the car under factory MB warranty?

 

how long did the previous owner have the pulley on for and also where did he install it at?
take some pics of the pulley and seal when you go to the dealership.

 

Im with emoving and renntech on this have them tell seal failed... the only seal that has anything to do with the pulley is the crank seal which are know to go bad. I have put countless pulleys on cars every kind kleeman,renntech,evosport ect!!! and i have never had a pulley leak that couldnt be fixed. By design the crank seal can be installed at different depths to acount for groves in the pulley. and also they make repair seals if needed. Something dosent seam right in what there telling you.

 

This makes no sense you could never have metal on metal SEAL.. metal on metal is concidered a bearing or bushing with need constat oil flow....i call on what there telling you

 

Yep I thought the same, Hey Brunoboxer PM me your address I will send you the extra seal cause I have no need for it.

 

Yeah this doesn't add up. The pulley would never be designed to touch the seal. The seal is static and the pulley rotates so if they were too close you could cause excess wear on the seal, but there should be a gab and the amount of that gap (unless its too close) shouldn't cause the seal to fail.

I don't think your neighbor is trying to screw you, but dealerships naturally blame aftermarket parts when something happens. I would think its possible the seal could have been nicked during install.