[peter811]

Hi, I have a 1975 300D mercedes, that leaves a trail of oil behind it. I think it is leaking from one of the oil lines near the oil filter. the car has been leaking oil ever since I got it but it was never this bad. This is my first car, and it has been nothing but a pain. First it was leaking fuel, then the motor overheated, and now I can't drive it without destroying the engine. I try my best to keep this car in one piece but stuff is always falling apart, or i can't drive it.

 

[austinado16]

Rule number one with any old and/or used car. It's never going to be in good road worthy/trustworthy condition until you make it that way.

That means replacing all the consumables like belts, hoses, fluids, filters, brake pads and hoses, etc. Follow that with tuning and adjusting things like carbs, valves, timing, fuel injection, etc. And while doing all this, give the car a thorouh inspection top to bottom and fix everything you find.

If you do anything other than this, you'll forever be plagued with the situation you're in now.

Regarding the specifics of your oil leak; take the car down to the car wash and steam clean the engine and transmission and underside of the car. Once it's all clean, you can start searching for the leak.

It's very common for the flexible oil hoses to fail and you can have new ones made at any hydraulic shop/farm supply/NAPA/Equipement Supply, etc. for dirt cheap.

 

[fjbertrand]

Careful about steam cleaning or pressure washing OLD
engines with OLD electronics and wiring harnesses. After 30 yrs some issues with waterproofing electrical connections could be present.

Put a paper under the car, isolate the location and then troubleshoot the location.

Nice looking car too...

 

[harescrambles]

man,, i love those cars, and thats a nice 300 you got there. clean the motor first. then there is a chemical that you can get(auto parts store) then add it to the oi,l its a bright color and will help find the leak,just like the pros