Oil Leak Help!!!

[Andyni]

When I moved my car this morning I noticed a redish oil on the driveway. Does anyone know what oil or liquid is redish in colour on a W210? Unfortunately I don't have ramps at home to get under the car.

 

[Brian WH]

When I moved my car this morning I noticed a redish oil on the driveway. Does anyone know what oil or liquid is redish in colour on a W210? Unfortunately I don't have ramps at home to get under the car.

Doesn't sound good, could be Brake Fluid.

Need to check it out mate, before you go too far. Check the reservoir first to see if it is low. If it is it needs investigating asap.

 

[230K]

Hi

Gearbox or power steering, is the car an estate it could be the self levelling suspension.

230K

 

[andy_k]

red fluid sounds distinctly like automatic transmission fluid - get it checked out asap

Andy

 

[nickmann]

second that - its ATF or steering fluid (same thing).

Don't worry about your brake fluid - it should be clear. Worst case scenario would be light yellow if it's getting a bit old. It it were red you'd have more than just a leak to worry about

 

[Andyni]

Thanks borrowed a set of ramps. It is ATF fluid! Have cleaned it off and tightened the retaining bolts and have run the car for about 30mins with no sign of fluid. Hope that this will hold until I can get I checked again tomorrow. Can I assume that red is a good colour for ATF?

 

[andy_k]

there aren't really many places atf can leak from - around the gasket is obvious as is the base of the filler tube or where the selector lever engages the gearbox. Worse case scenario it's an internal seal, best case scenario is that you've found a loose bolt on the sump and sorted it - I'd still run it into a garage and let them give it a quick once over.

Andy

 

[nickmann]

Thanks borrowed a set of ramps. It is ATF fluid! Have cleaned it off and tightened the retaining bolts and have run the car for about 30mins with no sign of fluid. Hope that this will hold until I can get I checked again tomorrow. Can I assume that red is a good colour for ATF?

Yes, black or brown would be a bad colour.

 

[grober]

stating the obvious CHECK YOUR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL IS CORRECT. Hope you have a dipstick and not one of those silly tamperproof units. you might have to buy a dipstick from your dealer or get them to check it. The guys are right the potential for expensive damage is high here so treat as urgent.

 

[230K]

Andy

Give me a shout if you need the dipstick, i bought one from dealer about 1 month ago, you could still be ok, a very small amount of oil leaves a big mess on the ground.

230K

 

[Andyni]

Does anyone know where to find the dipstick if I have one ?

 

[230K]

Hi

You will not have a dipstick, you will have a place for the dipstick which is at the back of the engine on the drivers side. There will be a black cap on the dipstick tube with a red tamper seal on it(maybe). The dip stick for the 5 speed gearbox is about a foot longer than it needs to be so that it cant be left in place. Thus no dipstick.

230K

 

[silverarrow]

can leak from atf cooler pipes

 

[big x]

ATF leaks on the W202 and W210 are often from a rusted pipe where it runs under the front radiator on the way to the oil cooler.I advise all to check this area as it's a real rust trap due to constantly having water draining on the pipe.You need to remove the undertray to see it.

adam

 

[big x]

Come on that man put your brain in gear! You only have to look at the reservoir to see brake fluid is never red.

adam

Doesn't sound good, could be Brake Fluid.

Need to check it out mate, before you go too far. Check the reservoir first to see if it is low. If it is it needs investigating asap.