C220cdi - Oil Leak

[Sloggi]

While driving home last evening, I could smell burning oil (?) coming through the heater. On checking this morning, there is evidence of oil right at the back of the engine between the dashboard and engine quite high up near the top of the engine. No oil on the ground. I can see a small trickle of fumes rising when the engine's running which must be why the smell is coming into the inside via the heater.

The car is running fine and smoothly.

Hopefully the explanation is clear enough (sorry, I'm not too technically minded) for some comment. Please ask if not clear

Thanks

 

[BlackC55]

take the engine covers off and have a look.

 

[Sloggi]

take the engine covers off and have a look.

Thanks for you reply

I would but I don't have a screwdriver that fits the nuts - looks like a many pointed star When looking down with a torch, the fluid appears to be only a few inches under the engine covers.

 

[television]

Get yourself a cheap torx set of sockets, they would be fine for taking off the cover

 

[BlackC55]

Could be diesel?

 

[Sloggi]

Could be diesel?

On reflection, I think the fumes smelled more like diesel than oil. Cracked pipe?

 

[television]

On reflection, I think the fumes smelled more like diesel than oil. Cracked pipe?

A leak on the injector rail is possible

 

[Sloggi]

A leak on the injector rail is possible

Will it be ok to drive to the garage? Big job to fix?

 

[television]

Will it be ok to drive to the garage? Big job to fix?

Its OK to drive, but not to far, the diesels do take a long time to get hot, so the weather is in your favour, it should not be a big job,,do you have a good indie near you, that would be the best and cheapest fix

 

[Sloggi]

Its OK to drive, but not to far, the diesels do take a long time to get hot, so the weather is in your favour, it should not be a big job,,do you have a good indie near you, that would be the best and cheapest fix

Thanks. Yes, I have a good indie near-by. Ball-park figure?

 

[television]

Thanks. Yes, I have a good indie near-by. Ball-park figure?

Then one can only wish you good luck and please let us know the result

 

[jibcl500]

Could be a cracked injector like the one I removed today, it was pumping diesel up and under the engine cover and managed to cover the whole engine in diesel.

I hop yours is just the seals MB changed the seals, easy enough to do assuming the top of the engine is reasonably clean, where are you in the UK?
jib

 

[monkeyspanner]

Hi Sloggi,
My C220 CDi (W202) had a similar sounding problem at 135K. It turned out to be leaking injector seals. A local Mercedes independent garage replaced the seals for £130. The odour from the vents took a few weeks to subside. I don't know how helpful this post is to you as until your car is checked over you can't be certain what the problem is. Hopefully it is nothing too drastic.

 

[Sloggi]

Thanks. I'll find out on Monday when I visit my local Aberdeen indie. I also hope it's nothing too drastic.

 

[colechelle]

sounds like a leaking blank off plug!!

 

[Sloggi]

Then one can only wish you good luck and please let us know the result

It was a "cracked injector seal" - hopefully that means something to you guys, and thanks for the replies to my thread.

The mechanic says it is a fairly common problem.

 

[television]

It was a "cracked injector seal" - hopefully that means something to you guys, and thanks for the replies to my thread.

The mechanic says it is a fairly common problem.

And a good result they did not break the bank,, thank you for posting the answer