R-Class dreaded Oil cooler seals

[mioba]

Thats what good indies are for - a good indie is worth their weight in gold

 

[Uncle Benz]

I can report that our R Class FunBus is back from having had (amongst other things) the oil cooler seals replaced.

Or not, actually.

The symptom was continual oil spotting on the driveway with a trail of black, suspiciously oily-looking oil down the front of the engine block at the front. My wallet prepared itself.

The cause was actually..... no.3 injector seal leaking just enough diesel to wash all the accumulated grime off the engine and do a very good imitation of failed oil cooler seals. Result, £1500 saved albeit at the cost of a very, very soaked with diesel Gary from Welwyn Merx, who happened to stop the jet of 2000psi diesel (when the injector seal catastrophically failed) with his hair.

Lol! Been there! It takes at least week of washing hair every day to get rid of the smell. For a while you think it's still there, but it's just your nose which seems to get some weird nose-blindness, smelling something that isn't there any more. He has my sympathy!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Looks like a good blow by blow account of stripping out the parts for OM642 to access the oil cooler

 

[Motzil]

Ok Guys still got the issue. “Doh” lockdown and other issues forced me to use Leakstop, which has had some effect. However the issue need rectifying sooner rather than later. I cam across Mercman on YouTube See Here: I believe he’s in London and having family in London I could go for a nice holiday 7 days and get the car fixed at the same time. Does anyone know his location.

I’m in Sheffield, South Yorkshire if anyone can recommend anywhere I’d be grateful, but I rang a few Indy’s who all said I’ll get someone to call you back, and hey ho they never called…. Tried Rotherham, Sheffield & Leeds

 

[alexanderfoti]

We always call back, but in Tonbridge

Not sure on the leaks top though, you may find its done more damage than good. I would 100% change the cooler when your there though.

 

[LostKiwi]

Mercland in Nuneaton isn't too far from you.

 

[Blobcat]

You could try Prestige in Osset (South of Leeds)

 

[bembo449]

Hi Wighty it is my indy that's quoting me £2,000. I may have a look around then, don't want to get rid unless I really have to

hes trying to avoid doing the job then , any garage can do this job pal , so don't let yourself get ripped off !!

 

[bembo449]

I can report that our R Class FunBus is back from having had (amongst other things) the oil cooler seals replaced.

Or not, actually.

The symptom was continual oil spotting on the driveway with a trail of black, suspiciously oily-looking oil down the front of the engine block at the front. My wallet prepared itself.

The cause was actually..... no.3 injector seal leaking just enough diesel to wash all the accumulated grime off the engine and do a very good imitation of failed oil cooler seals. Result, £1500 saved albeit at the cost of a very, very soaked with diesel Gary from Welwyn Merx, who happened to stop the jet of 2000psi diesel (when the injector seal catastrophically failed) with his hair.

at least the actually fault wont kill the engine pal , glad you got it sorted though

 

[Wighty]

Ok Guys still got the issue. “Doh” lockdown and other issues forced me to use Leakstop, which has had some effect. However the issue need rectifying sooner rather than later. I cam across Mercman on YouTube See Here: I believe he’s in London and having family in London I could go for a nice holiday 7 days and get the car fixed at the same time. Does anyone know his location.

I’m in Sheffield, South Yorkshire if anyone can recommend anywhere I’d be grateful, but I rang a few Indy’s who all said I’ll get someone to call you back, and hey ho they never called…. Tried Rotherham, Sheffield & Leeds

Where in London are you staying so someone can recommend an Indy , assuming none of the Northern ones get back to you

 

[silkthread]

If you let us know an approximate location/county, we can give you a solid steer on independent specialists, like Alex in post#13, who know what they're doing, have great reputation and can sort this out at a sensible price to reflect the real amount of work involved.

If it's a little harder to access and a bit more expensive, if you are keeping the car then whichever the well-trusted independent you use, I'd consider chatting with them about whether you should have the oil cooler itself changed at the same time, and maybe the swirl flap motor. If you needed to do the swirl flap motor later (£125 part) it's £700 because it's much the same job due to the same access problems.

I've just had my oil cooler seals done (a week ago) and I opted to replace the oil cooler with a new genuine Merc unit (because if there's a leak again within 2 years Merc will sort it under warranty) and I fitted a new swirl flap motor. But I know barring extreme unforeseen circumstance, I'll be keeping the car for a good few years, so over that timeframe, it's worth it to me for the piece of mind.

Would you know someone in the Spelthorne area of Surrey. 99% sure my leak is the oil seals in my 2013 ml350, and also need to replace the sump as its starting to rust on the bottom.

 

[Blobcat]

Would you know someone in the Spelthorne area of Surrey. 99% sure my leak is the oil seals in my 2013 ml350, and also need to replace the sump as its starting to rust on the bottom.

Head a bit further south to Alex in Tonbridge - well respected forum supporter and all around good guy

 

[alexanderfoti]

Make me blush

 

[silkthread]

Make me blush

I'll give you a call in the morning Alex. Do you have any courtesy cars by any chance - this will be a 2 day job.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I'll give you a call in the morning Alex. Do you have any courtesy cars by any chance - this will be a 2 day job.

Yes, we have 3 and all in high demand but we will get you sorted. One of booking team will take care of you tomorrow