Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: 250SLFranco on April 09, 2019, 17:37:56

Title: Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?
Post by: 250SLFranco on April 09, 2019, 17:37:56

I haven't checked in with the goup for a while.....
 My 250SL has been tucked away in my garage all winter.  The motor has not been run for three months.  I came out this morning and found this a small oil leak under the car (see attached picture).  Any ideas how and or why this would start out of nowhere?

Title: Re: Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?
Post by: Vander on April 09, 2019, 18:37:56

It looks red in the photo, if it is red that would be a transmission leak no engine oil

Title: Re: Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?
Post by: 250SLFranco on April 09, 2019, 19:22:44

Vander....
    I am pretty sure it is motor oil...I believe it looks red because I enhanced the photo to better view the source of the oil underneath the vehicle.  Either way, and even assuming it is the transmission, why would it start to leak with no activity?
Thanks Vander

Title: Re: Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?
Post by: zak on April 09, 2019, 19:27:20

Have you tracked down the location of the leak?

Title: Re: Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?
Post by: wwheeler on April 09, 2019, 19:56:01

If it is red automatic trans fluid, it will have the potential to leak when stored for long periods of time. This is because the fluid coupler is slowly draining into the pan. It fills the pan higher than normal and usually takes about 2 months are more. It SHOULD not normally leak. But if your speedo housing seal leaks or weeps during regular operation, it will leak worse when the pan fills up. If your speedo housing seal is good, it shouldn't leak.

I replaced my speedo seal and no more leaks. There could be other sources of the leakage, but that was mine.

Title: Re: Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?
Post by: 67w113 on April 10, 2019, 18:26:12

This happens on my 250 SL, the above post is what a mechanic told me as well.  I just add a very small amount and keep a pan underneath it to catch the spill and judge the amount.

Title: Re: Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?
Post by: 250SLFranco on April 10, 2019, 21:33:28

Good comments....
The more that comes out and the more I analyze it, I am now in agreement is is more red in color than the motor oil...so I to now agree that it is transmission fluid....I am going to attempt a squeeze in to try an determine a source.
Thanks again!
Franco

Title: Re: Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?
Post by: Jonny B on April 10, 2019, 22:25:58

Does the car have power steering? Several years ago, the steering unit seals gave up their lives, this is the unit at the firewall, not the pump. I could barely keep fluid in the system. The fluid I had in it at the time was red.

Title: Re: Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?
Post by: wwheeler on April 11, 2019, 16:18:09

Quote from: 250SLFranco on April 10, 2019, 21:33:28

Good comments....
The more that comes out and the more I analyze it, I am now in agreement is is more red in color than the motor oil...so I to now agree that it is transmission fluid....I am going to attempt a squeeze in to try an determine a source.
Thanks again!
Franco

If it is that hard to determine if it is motor oil or red trans oil, might be time to look when was the last time the trans fluid was changed. Unlike motor oil, trans fluid should not turn dark under normal circumstances. Most of these cars are driven lightly.