[dbackbmx3]

Take a look at the picture it looks like motor oil. I have looked all around the oil pan and dont see anything leaking there.

 

[Witek_M]

You need to look above. Could be engine oil, power steering fluid or refrigerant oil. Clean area, drive around the block and recheck.

 

[dbackbmx3]

You need to look above. Could be engine oil, power steering fluid or refrigerant oil. Clean area, drive around the block and recheck.

Alright I actually cleaned the area and went to recheck. and it looks the same. I will check my power steering fluid. This actually started like a day after they did the power steering recall on it.

 

[javaboolean]

Along the lines of cleaning areas, what is the best way to clean out the underside of the ML's engine and the compartment itself? People here in Indy are about 50/50 steam cleaning versus gunk and powersprayer. I too have an intermittent leak from my ML and the fluid is oily but does not smell like engine oil. It only happens after it is sitting for awhile. so I want to get it cleaned up and start investigating.

 

[Gene Horr]

Powerspray is an iffy. Even if you are careful it is easy for it to knock off vacuum lines or unhook cables to where they can be cut by moving parts. A lot of the fears come from the days of carburators which weren't sealed very well agains moisture.

I will do it if I am just knocking off dust/dirt. If it is oil and caked on mess then I'll use any of the engine degreasers except for the "Engine Brite Foamy". That tends to leave a film over overything. Lately I've used the NAPA generic brand on the diesel and it works well. Almost too well. Some of the plastic painted parts will have the paint run a little if I let the product sit for a while.

Whichevery method you use you want the engine warm but not hot. Drip a few drops of water on the exhaust manifold and if it steams it is too hot.

 

[oreif]

Powerspray is an iffy. except for the "Engine Brite Foamy". That tends to leave a film over overything. Almost too well. Some of the plastic painted parts will have the paint run.

Gene you read my mind. any type of hi pressure spray would not be best for the reasons Gene mentioned earlier. But not overly remphasize but really, never clean a hot engine period. The running painted parts, the dingy looking plastics, etc. are a direct result of the temp vs the cleaning chemicals. If you are not a wealthy man like myself, IMO, just use some degreaser or cleaner or your choice and some elbow grease to remove. there are way too many expensive electrical gizmos under there that will make you regret you even thought about cleaning up the scum and cobwebs:bowdown: but your money, thus your car

 

[pcy]

dbackbmx3, first you'll need to identify the type of fluid leaking. Engine Oil/ PS fluid/AC refrigerant. Take a drop of that leaking fluid on to a clean paper towel and you may be able to figure out which one of those (put one drop of each of those fluids next to the leaked oil on the paper towel; try to match the one closest to the leaked oil).

If the Engine Oil is leaking, possible culprits - timing cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, etc.

If the PS fluid is leaking, possible culprits - cracked PS fluid reservoir, O-ring, PS pump itself leaking.

If AC refrigerant is leaking, the O-rings on the compressor fittings may be the culprits.

I would guess it is PS fluid. Guess how I know. I have the exact same leak. My PS pump is leaking.

 

[FAR888]

Hmmm...wealth must be relative in this case...

.....If you are not a wealthy man like myself....

Says the good friend of mine with TWO AMGs parked in his driveway!

 

[dbackbmx3]

dbackbmx3, first you'll need to identify the type of fluid leaking. Engine Oil/ PS fluid/AC refrigerant. Take a drop of that leaking fluid on to a clean paper towel and you may be able to figure out which one of those (put one drop of each of those fluids next to the leaked oil on the paper towel; try to match the one closest to the leaked oil).

If the Engine Oil is leaking, possible culprits - timing cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, etc.

If the PS fluid is leaking, possible culprits - cracked PS fluid reservoir, O-ring, PS pump itself leaking.

If AC refrigerant is leaking, the O-rings on the compressor fittings may be the culprits.

I would guess it is PS fluid. Guess how I know. I have the exact same leak. My PS pump is leaking.

It is the oil filter housing gasket. Which I didnt even know thats what what that thing was. Mercedes puts the oil filter in an easy to get to area. Thats kinda nice. I just tightened the housing since it was a little loose and I will see if that helps. Thanks.

 

[oreif]

Hmmm...wealth must be relative in this case...

Says the good friend of mine with TWO AMGs parked in his driveway!

FAR 'wealth' is a relative thing my friend I am not ashamed to tell you I am a fella of modest upbringing and modest means to say the least i'm a working healthcare director/not exec...moreover you are by last account a 'healthy' attorney by all accounts I would venture to guess that your dollars stretch a bit better than mine in this sunken US of A I & G--note I didn't say US of A but that's for another forum on this site:surrender: BTW, when I don't make my next sched. MB app't for ps fix, can you represent me as an injured party from gut wreching this thing around corners when I blow it out & my abdominal wall? If it worked @ MC'd's with coffee I'm open to litigious suggestions

more on subject, pcy, i believe is spot on: to clarify I was referencing my O ring in the sense of the ps box only--< or > a $1 part; not to be misunderstood w/ pcy's orig examples.

 

[oreif]

and FAR, FYI, I took/take the pics in my drive. I always park them in the garage under cover of night & whatever our mother of nature might cast upon them ; my babies.