M111 s124 sudden oil leak

[mr_day]

Hi all,

Gimme best guess and best/worst case on an oil leak that’s just sprung up on our ‘96 estate.

Couple of weeks ago all fine. Then noticed a bit of a rattle at startup once, oily smell, dipstick a bit low, crawled under and found this. Head gasket replaced about 14 months ago. Not blowing any smoke. Just drip drip after driving.

Obviously originating above the alternator as these photos taken from below. Slightly worried about driving the 100k we have to back home as we had the cam shaft snap once just after the idiot who did the head gasket didn’t reset the timing chain (subsequently fixed by a good W124 mechanic – assured us no damage done, not a diesel.)

Thanks in advance…

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Get this done before the alternator catches fire . Looks like power steering hose needs replacing ASAP

 

[mr_day]

Get what done exactly? Trying to ascertain source of the oil leak…

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Oil is leaking above the alternator as drips are forming on the bottom of it . And driving it this way it will catch fire .

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Put some pictures of item or items above the alternator .Oil leak is above the alternator . Or squirting out of the hose in front off it and then dripping off after ..

 

[mr_day]

Yes obviously it's above – that's what I said in the original post. I'm trying to get ideas for what it could be and how bad it could be without pulling the engine apart. Will check that hose and report. Thanks.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Check what the fluid is, it could be engine oil,, atf fluid,, or pass fluid ,, dont look like coolant . What ever it is, dont use the car incase of a fire .The alternator will need cleaning also .

 

[mioba]

Get some paper towels, some rubber gloves on and get in there and give it a good clean. Then let the engine run and keep an eye on it.ID the leak, find the source and fix.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Needs to find the source first of all . Long term the alternator needs removing and given a thorough clean and de greasing .That way you might just save the alternator from any further damage .

 

[Flyinspanner]

Get white kitchen paper towel, dab the fluid… if it’s brown, engine oil.
If it’s reddish, probably power steering fluid.
Probably not trans fluid, as it wouldn’t throw to the front of the engine, it would all be under the car.

if you can - use degreaser, and pressure wash the engine.

If PS, check hoses, visually for cuts (engine off) never run your fingers along hydraulic lines pressurised, a small leak at high pressure could slice a finger off!
clean all unions, run for a short time, see if any are weeping.

If engine oil, (check oil level, is it too low?~ top up) looks like it will be from adjacent or above alternator. Wipe around your cam cover/cam cover seals - run see if any weeping.

 

[mr_day]

It's definitely engine oil. Identified the leak originally because the level had dropped a bit. Will give it a good clean up now and see if I can find the source. Thanks all.

 

[mr_day]

Right we’ll it doesn’t seem to be coming from above the alternator because the top of that is dry and clean. But the leak is also not so dramatic that I can immediately identify where it’s coming from.

Could it be being blown back from somewhere, or coming out of one of the bolts attached to the alternator itself?

Definitely engine oil, btw.

 

[mr_day]

Ah, think I’ve got it – as suggested by grober over in the other uk forum. Inlet camshaft adjuster. Which would be a relief.

You can see a little trickle here, and that was after running it for only a couple of minutes.

Can I just order a new seal or better to grab the whole part ?

 

[DREAMER NO2]

It looks as if its been off before looking at the location mark in white paint ..Some have a rubber seal others are sealed with locktite ..Its a removal job clean up and reseal .. vin number will get better results

 

[mioba]

It looks as if its been off before looking at the location mark in white paint ..Some have a rubber seal others are sealed with locktite ..Its a removal job clean up and reseal .. vin number will get better results

And lookiing at the state of the chewed bolts,

Go the dealer pull up the IPL and see if the seal comes seperate, get new bolts while you are there.

If you can whip it off and use another car to get to the dealer that will help as it may simply be the seal that you can identify or the bearings in the unit, in which case a new unit.