Major oil leak

[Natasha Griffin-Murtagh]

Hi. New to this forum so patience with lack of knowledge is appreciated. On Friday ‘check oil level’ popped up on my R Class 2007. Topped up the oil which was just a little low. On the way home from a 120 mile trip yesterday it flashed up again. We stopped at a local shop just before getting home and when we pulled off there was a huge puddle of oil. We’ve booked it in to be looked at this week but, any ideas as to the cause of this? There’s been no warning signs so a little worried! Thanks.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Welcome - prime suspect is the oil cooler seals, if so about £650 in labour and £50 in parts. The oil cooler sits buried in the vee of the engine so a lot of plumbing to remove to gain access, hopefully it’s something more accessible and cheaper to fix

 

[Natasha Griffin-Murtagh]

Welcome - prime suspect is the oil cooler seals, if so about £650 in labour and £50 in parts. The oil cooler sits buried in the vee of the engine so a lot of plumbing to remove to gain access, hopefully it’s something more accessible and cheaper to fix

Welcome - prime suspect is the oil cooler seals, if so about £650 in labour and £50 in parts. The oil cooler sits buried in the vee of the engine so a lot of plumbing to remove to gain access, hopefully it’s something more accessible and cheaper to fix

 

[AMGeed]

Whatever the problem, the first step is to find a good MB independant tech (indy) nearby to indentify the source of the leak.
Using an indy can save you a fortune in labour charges compared to a main dealer and all parts used in any repair are OEM.

If you post your location maybe someone can assist with a recommendation on where to take it.

 

[Natasha Griffin-Murtagh]

Thanks both. We are in Aberdare area, South Wales.

 

[A.J.]

Hi Natasha, welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place for sound advice

 

[JimmyTheJock]

Thanks both. We are in Aberdare area, South Wales.

Well without mentioning the name there is one local non-franchised garage not far from me who claim to be M-B specialists but who I most certainly would NOT recommend.
I don't understand why so many around here always recommend avoiding M-B dealerships as I and my partner have nothing but praise for the one in Cardiff.
Once we took a car elsewhere...NEVER AGAIN.

 

[AMGeed]

Well without mentioning the name there is one local non-franchised garage not far from me who claim to be M-B specialists but who I most certainly would NOT recommend.
I don't understand why so many around here always recommend avoiding M-B dealerships as I and my partner have nothing but praise for the one in Cardiff.
Once we took a car elsewhere...NEVER AGAIN.

The reason for recommending indies over main dealer are two fold for me.

Firstly, if you find a good one, you can take your car there safe in the knowledge that everything that needs doing will be done.
There have been instances at main dealers of services being done and air filters charged for, but clearly not replaced. Just one example.

Secondly, and most important to me, the labour charges at a main dealer are now crazy with some charging upwards of £150 per hour plus VAT! Compare that to most indies charging between £65 - £80 per hour + VAT and its wasted money. The same OEM parts are used, the service book/record is updated and I see no advantage in using a main dealer unless you like overpaying or its vital that a main dealer service history is intact.
If you are unlucky enough to have had a bad experience at an indy, don't tar them all with the same brush. The same can be said for main dealers. There are good and bad.

Hopefully ,someone can advise on a good indy for the OP.

 

[Natasha Griffin-Murtagh]

Ok, so if I was to source this myself, what would I essentially need to google? I’m not too clued up on the terminology of ‘Indy’!
Thanks everyone, all advice is so appreciated. My car is my lifeline with the kids.

 

[Blobcat]

Ok, so if I was to source this myself, what would I essentially need to google? I’m not too clued up on the terminology of ‘Indy’!
Thanks everyone, all advice is so appreciated. My car is my lifeline with the kids.

Just over the bridge Avangarde Automotive
I’ve also heard some not so great stories about the Indie in South Wales - I had great service form the main dealer in South Wales (all Sinclair Group) but that was a good few years ago now and I only ever used them for servicing as I always had a deal.

 

[M80]

Just look up Mercedes Specialist. They will be 'Independant' of the main agents.
Then ask here or review them by google.

 

[AMGeed]

+1 for Steve@Avantgarde if you can get to his workshop.

https://www.avantgarde-automotive.co.uk/

 

[JimmyTheJock]

I don't want to get involved in a tug of war over where the OP should take her vehicle. I simply related my recent local experience.

I certainly am not tarring every non-franchised garage with the same brush but the fact they may appear to be cheaper than a main dealer in terms of advertised hourly rate does not mean the eventual bill will be less or the attention paid to you or your vehicle will be any better.

My partner and I have just returned from our local main dealer where her 2006 C160 sports coupe is in the workshop and requires a new catalytic converter. The part is not likely to be available for a considerable time. They have loaned her at NO COST a brand new (24.9 miles on clock) C300d Estate to use until her car can be fixed. In addition I have been told if I can source the part elsewhere, and it need not be an M-B original, then they are happy to fit that.

I'm happy with that...Oh...I've posted elsewhere asking if anyone can recommend a source for said 'cat'.

 

[LostKiwi]

+1 for Steve at Avantgarde.

 

[JBell]

Welcome - prime suspect is the oil cooler seals, if so about £650 in labour and £50 in parts. The oil cooler sits buried in the vee of the engine so a lot of plumbing to remove to gain access, hopefully it’s something more accessible and cheaper to fix

Oil coolers seals wouldn't leave a huge puddle, it is a small leak. The R Class is very difficult to access due to the bulkhead location and short bonnet.

It also depends where the oil is leaking from, the intercooler seals will leak out of the back of the engine undertray

 

[JBell]

Natasha, if you need more oil then this is the stuff to use

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Sold by MB Bridgend

 

[Natasha Griffin-Murtagh]

Thanks everyone! Greatly appreciated. I feel I’ve lost a body part without my car. It’s going in to a local garage tomorrow to be looked at. Fingers crossed it’s something of nothing

 

[M80]

local garage

A Mercedes specialist?

 

[Natasha Griffin-Murtagh]

Unfortunately no. My local one is about an hours drive away, I can’t risk driving that far with zero oil.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome Natasha
Lots of good advice there...just a question- you haven’t had an oil change recently at all have you?