100mph oil leak

[flagstaff]

driving back from the channel tunnel the other week i have to admit that i tanked it on a little ... did 100mph steady just about all the way home (250 miles). okay, this probably wasn't sensible, for all kinds of reasons. when i got home i noticed that there was an appreciable oil leak from the rear of the engine ... not a puddle on the ground, but oil on the cross member and sump, and quite a bit of oil smoke from the exhaust downpipe/first section area. it was mentioned to me that the 190E has a weakness for (literally) blowing its gasket ... so, is that what may have happened? driving normally :wink: since then, i haven't noticed further leakage. anyone any tips, wise words?

 

[steved]

this won't be helpful- But what kind of a World would it be.

What kind of a World would it be if Mercedes aren't made to go 100 MPH all Day Long,.?

If Mercedes can't run fast ....Then nothing should be able to.

 

[flagstaff]

too right! i'm going to have a longer look for source of leak today, hope it's rocker box cover or something minor like that.

i notice you have an ML ... i drove one of these things the other day, a 430. man that thing was a brute, you could kick it down into 3rd at some insanely high speed, 90mph or something. you must get killed at the petrol pumps

 

[dles]

I have a 190E as well and it drives fine but there's also a oil burning smell as if some is leaking onto the exhaust. If you get a result please let me know as its been driving me mad.

However, I think I have bigger problems as I think my head gasket has gone, I have oil in the water system! So if you get any information on this agian please let me know.

I will do similar.

Thanks

 

[flagstaff]

your oil burning smell could well be a leak from the gearbox. have a look at the gearbox undertray/pan, see if it's wet or if there is a streaked stain from box area towards rear of car. places the box will/can leak are tray gasket, and filler pipe seal. both easy to replace.

 

[Abue]

I've been there!

I had this same problem returning from Spain last weekend.
I have an F reg 300TE estate with 160000 miles on the clock.
I was travailing at around 95mph for about ½ hour and had to throttle off for traffic. I looked in the mirror to see a cloud of blue smoke poring from the rear and the guy behind with his windscreen wipers on.
I pulled onto the hard shoulder and had a look under the bonnet but could see nothing wrong. I looked under the car to see oil dripping from the underside from the sump all the way to the rear exhaust box, which was very hot and burning off the oil. It had spread up onto the rear bumper and tailgate.

I got the wife & kids out quick and let the car cool down.

The dripping oil finally stopped so I could get a better look. I rolled the car back to have a look at the oil to try and see if it was engine oil or gearbox oil. It was red so it came from the gearbox.

I think it happens when the gearbox is over filled and when the box gets hot and you roll off the throttle, it must blow some excess out from somewhere.

Can anyone shed any light on this??

I had the same thing happen to me in a Renault 25 some years ago. Aren?t they the same gearbox??

 

[DougE280]

I don't know if yours is the same, but my E280 M104 engine has an oil cooler tucked down the back of the block. There is a valve that open allowing oil into the oil cooler - but only when the engine gets really hot (100mph+ perhaps!).

My oil cooler developed a leak and I had exactly the same symptoms - a cloud of smoke in the mirror when pressing on, which stopped as I slowed down and no leak on the driveway as the oil burns away on the exhaust.

I was baffled until it went in for a head gasket replacement and the garage noticed the leak. New oil cooler was about £225 and was fitted easily whilst the head was off - otherwise very difficult I understand. My Merc really broke the bank that week!!!

Hope that helps,

Doug

 

[mjtray]

Doug,

Notice that you have an E280......at what mileage did your head gasket start to pack up????

Just trying to get an idea when the inevitable is likely to happen.

Cheers

Martin

 

[DougE280]

Martin,
Sorry to be no comfort to you. Upon checking the fluid levels, at just over 88,000 miles, it was immediately apparant that there was 15mm or so of thick brown oil floating in the coolant expansion tank.
The car drove perfectly however and I've been told that the weakness in the original head gasket is between a waterway and an oilway - so you still get full compression.
I understand that, since the oil pressure is higher than the water pressure, oil gets into the water (not visa versa - thank goodness), so the engine will run fine short-term but the job has to be done very soon as the oil will destroy all the hoses and rubber seals throughout the cooling (and heating) systems.....
It's essencial that the cooling system is thoroughly flushed to remove ALL traces of oil during the course of the head gasket job. Lots of special tools are required so do go to an MB specialist!
Oh yes, a trip to the bank may also be in order, as the head gasket job alone - at a reputable MB specialist in Wembley - is £800 minimum including skimming.
If, like me, you combine it with a full service and MOT (plus 4xdiscs and pads, new water pump - not leaking but worn (labour free whilst the head's off) and the leaking oil cooler (likewise labour free) you're looking at a £2,000 bill.
Still it's a fantastic car (and the kids didn't want to go to Disneyland anyway!!!).
Doug