Bad oil leak, cannot find where it is leaking from?

SOMEONE12132

MEMBER
2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240
2.6L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
145,000 MILES

Recently, an oil leak has developed towards the bottom of my car. It has gotten really bad and has started leaving puddles everywhere.

I was wondering where it could possibly be leaking from? I've checked the valve cover gaskets so far and they are all good. I am suspecting it is possibly the oil pan gasket or the drain plug washer, but I am not sure.

I haven't jacked up the car yet. Before I do, is there some sort of common area that these Mercedes tend to leak oil from?

I have some images of the leak to hopefully give you guys a better idea of where it's leaking from.

Images (Click to make bigger)

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,947 POSTS

Thanks for the images. The oil filter and oil pan drain plug is a common place for the engine to leak oil. Here is a guide that can help find the leak as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

I would raise the car up and remove the bottoms skid pan. Use a flashlight to see if you can find the source of the leak. This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Here is a video of the oil filter and drain plug in a similar car:

https://youtu.be/Oaeqh38c6Z4

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

Images (Click to make bigger)