Err...strange clear oily liquid leaking from front of Transmission (not trans fluid) - MBClub UK

golden1245 · 15-07-2012, 11:05 PM

Sorry for all the transmission questions...I drove my car around today and then got under it to do some preliminary research on the ATF change.

I then i noticed this strange clear yellowish fluid leaking onto the floor, from the front of the transmission (is that the torque converter)? It was not dark, but a clear fluid, almost like water but slightly slick and oily, slowly dripping 2-3 times. I took a couple pictures so you could see:

Does anyone know what this is and if it is a serious problem? I'm about to spend $800-1000 overhauling certain parts of the car, but if this is early signs of a transmission failure or something very serious, I'm not sure if I want to proceed...

Thank you in advance for reading, it's much appreciated since the American benz forums are not very helpful.

markjay · 15-07-2012, 11:08 PM

Sounds like coolant dripping off the back of the engine... does you car have the yellow or green coolant?

**BlackC55** · 16-07-2012, 09:57 AM

It does look like coolant. Does it taste sweet?

Nasco12 · 16-07-2012, 12:28 PM

When I had coolant popping up in about the same place it turned out to be the head gasket. Diagnosed and repaired by PCS but still very expensive.

golden1245 · 16-07-2012, 08:10 PM

taste sweet? um..should I rub a bit of it off the ground and put it on my tongue? I could try that if that's what you mean.

head gasket...that sounds really really expensive, i thought the c230k's were quite reliable in terms of stuff like that.

markjay · 16-07-2012, 08:29 PM

It could be just a split hose or leaking joint... needs to be diagnosed.

15-07-2012, 11:05 PM	#1
golden1245 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2011 Car: 1999 C230K Sport Posts: 206	Err...strange clear oily liquid leaking from front of Transmission (not trans fluid) Sorry for all the transmission questions...I drove my car around today and then got under it to do some preliminary research on the ATF change. I then i noticed this strange clear yellowish fluid leaking onto the floor, from the front of the transmission (is that the torque converter)? It was not dark, but a clear fluid, almost like water but slightly slick and oily, slowly dripping 2-3 times. I took a couple pictures so you could see: Does anyone know what this is and if it is a serious problem? I'm about to spend $800-1000 overhauling certain parts of the car, but if this is early signs of a transmission failure or something very serious, I'm not sure if I want to proceed... Thank you in advance for reading, it's much appreciated since the American benz forums are not very helpful. __________________ 1999 C230K Sport, Upsolute Chipped California, USA

16-07-2012, 09:57 AM	#3
BlackC55 Authorised Forum Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Horndean, Portsmouth, Hampshire, Southsea Car: C43 AMG with mods, CLK55, C250TD, MK1 Caddy Posts: 14,154	It does look like coolant. Does it taste sweet? __________________ Olly Prestige car Service: I am listed here on MBClub please click to see services and discounts available.

15-07-2012, 11:08 PM	#2
markjay Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: London Car: W203 C180K 2006 / Serviced by Olly PCS (BlackC55) / COMAND NTG2.5 retrofitted by Alfie and Richard Posts: 7,042	Sounds like coolant dripping off the back of the engine... does you car have the yellow or green coolant?

16-07-2012, 12:28 PM	#4
Nasco12 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Twickenham Car: 1999 W202 C200 Sport in Green-Black Posts: 286	When I had coolant popping up in about the same place it turned out to be the head gasket. Diagnosed and repaired by PCS but still very expensive.

16-07-2012, 08:10 PM	#5
golden1245 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Sep 2011 Car: 1999 C230K Sport Posts: 206	taste sweet? um..should I rub a bit of it off the ground and put it on my tongue? I could try that if that's what you mean. head gasket...that sounds really really expensive, i thought the c230k's were quite reliable in terms of stuff like that.

16-07-2012, 08:29 PM	#6
markjay Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: London Car: W203 C180K 2006 / Serviced by Olly PCS (BlackC55) / COMAND NTG2.5 retrofitted by Alfie and Richard Posts: 7,042	It could be just a split hose or leaking joint... needs to be diagnosed.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)