W124 - Just spotted a leak

[300CE]

Howdo all - Just parked up the beast & noticed a oily trail behind it in the rain . Looks like it's coming from the back end of the car but not sure if it's transmission fluid or axle fluid.

Wiped my finger over it and it smells like turps/really strong marker pen - any ideas?!

Cheers, Justin.

 

[snoopy]

Back of the car is diff but turps is more like petrol while the diff will be closer to engine oil. The tank is behind the back seat so in the right area. It could also be a leaking rear brake pipe.

Jack + axle stand a rear wheel and look at the rear of the diff and the ABS sensor on the side. Leakage from these should be obvious.

If not follow the pipes from both rear calipers and look for drips.

If none of this helps do the obvious and park on a flat dry surface and wait for the puddle which will help you home in.

 

[300CE]

Cheers for the advice snoopy, will be jacking it up this weekend - was gonna place some cardboard underneath to see if i could locate it but was so bl00dy wet i'll try and do that tonight.

Forgot to mention that the patch washed away with the rain so hope it isn't the dreaded petrol. Had a sniff around underneath this morning and couldn't smell anything 'bad' but will be checking the fuel pump/filter area too.

 

[GP801]

Our estate had a leak from the fuel filter and this gave similar symptoms to yours. A non original filter had cracked. False economy when a new genuine filter is not expensive.

 

[snoopy]

Good luck. If all else fails set fire to the puddle. That'll tell you if it's petrol

PS) Move the car out the way first.

 

[300CE]

Thanks again for the advice chaps! Just checked the brake pedal with the ignition off and alls fine so doesn't look like a brake fluid leak (plus the reservoir is still on max). It's recently had a new fuel filter so could be the kiddie!

I was thinking of the 'lighting the puddle technique' but knowing my luck it'll burn all the way back to the car ala die hard 2!!

Will provide an update once sorted.

Cheers Justin.

 

[300CE]

Hi All, thought i'd provide an update - checked this morning and the leak is dripping from the plastic cover that houses the fuel pump & filter so looks like petrol!! It also only drips when the engine is running.

Once in the air am hoping it'll be a simple/cheap job.

Thanks again for all your advice - i'll provide a final update once the issue has been resolved.

 

[300CE]

OK, the connection onto the fuel pump was slightly loose and was tightened back up which has resolved the leak - happy days!