W124 - Leaking steering fluid

[Lockhart Flawse]

Hi,

Noticed this week some red fluid on the floor of the garage below the engine which I assume to be from the power steering. Looks like it is dripping off the back of the fibreglass protection plate underneath.

Is this likely to indicate some sort of terminal failure of the power steering mechanism or could it maybe just need something tightening up? Grateful for any guidance.

L.F.

 

[Sp!ke]

Probaby one of the high pressure hoses past its best.

Not expensive or difficult to change.

 

[Smiley]

more likely to be ATF from a rusted coolant pipe.

 

[Lockhart Flawse]

So, I took the car for its MOT on Friday at the Mercedes independent that has looked after it for the past 5 years. Straight pass, no advisories. I took the chance to get a good look underneath and the car is completely rust free. Only problem is the front OS wing in the usual place. Inners are fine.

Bad news is that what I hoped was a power-steering leak is in fact an oil leak from the head. So topped up the oil for now and I will get it sorted when it goes for a service in September. Would this be the "head-gasket" problem that afflicts
E280/320s of a certain age? Mine has done 155,000 and, apart from the oil leak and the one slightly rusty front wing, is in very good condition and goes really well.

L.F.

 

[grober]

Difficult to confuse black engine oil and red hydraulic fluid? so I would say the jury is still out on that one. First off you want to check fluid levels. Power steering reservoir is easy- the hot and cold levels are marked on the central plastic sleeve. Auto gearbox fluid is OK also BUT requires to be done carefully to avoid misinterpreting the results. Follow the instructions in the handbook to the letter and you will be fine.
BASICS ---car must be level/ fluid must have reached operating temperature 80 degrees [=drive 10 miles first ] / engine must be running/ gearlever should be " cycled" through all its positions to fill all the hydraulic galleries only then will you get an accurate reading.

 

[grober]

Sorry as far as the leaking cylinder head gasket ---??? cam cover gasket?? is concerned many people just live with it-- really depends on the rate of loss- check with frequent engine oil level dipstick checks. Budget for a £600 + bill for a CHG change which will likely involve a bit of cylinder head machining to plane it flat. you might want to budget to renew the water pump at the same time as its an expensive job otherwise? KEY to keeping on top of all these problems on older cars is regular monitoring of fluid levels imho.