Oil leak at bottom of steering pump

[je11]

Hello there,
I have a big problem on an E420 '93 , its without SLS.

On the bottom of the power steering pump is a massive oil leak.
I already resealed the power steering pump with the original MB parts and also sealed the reservoir and Renew the Hose between reservoir and pump.

On the top is all dry and I cant see any leaks.
But the bottom of the Pump is full of oil.
I think its engine oil because there is no steering fluid missing.(its on MAX, still after 50 kilometers).

Is there maybe any bolt which goes inside the engine and leaks engine oil to the bottomside of the steering pump?

Thank you very much - I dont know what to do now.
Already cleaned Up and ride some kilometers/Miles and checked after ride but see no leaks
The leak is very heavy but cant see where it comes from?!

 

[TerryA]

One of the bolt holes is penetrating into the oil galley. The bolt hole needs to be cleaned and a sealer applied to the threads.

I think gsxr knows the drill here.

 

[gsxr]

There are a number of possible leak points. You need to locate the source. This means cleaning the entire area, including around the valve cover gasket, distributor cap, and cam advance solenoid. Stuff folded paper towels all over, after driving a while, you'll be able to tell which paper towels are dry, and which are not (assuming the leak is still present, and you have oil at the bottom of the pump). Until everything is clean and dry, you won't be able to tell where the oil is coming from.

It's the passenger side where there are bolts which need sealant applied (on the smog/air pump bracket). I don't think there are any on the driver side though. Pics below may help...

 

[je11]

Hello !
Maybe I found the problem/leak !
Some months ago the front shaft seals of the camshaft (behind caps+rotos) and I saw that the Elring seal was not correctly in its place. The the oil leaks down to/between the steering pump.

If I will not reply here, there problem solved by renewing the cam shaft seals (behind ignition caps).

Thank you very much for you help !

 

[pablo2696]

There are a number of possible leak points. You need to locate the source. This means cleaning the entire area, including around the valve cover gasket, distributor cap, and cam advance solenoid. Stuff folded paper towels all over, after driving a while, you'll be able to tell which paper towels are dry, and which are not (assuming the leak is still present, and you have oil at the bottom of the pump). Until everything is clean and dry, you won't be able to tell where the oil is coming from.

It's the passenger side where there are bolts which need sealant applied (on the smog/air pump bracket). I don't think there are any on the driver side though. Pics below may help...

View attachment 106631 View attachment 106632 View attachment 106633

I also had a leak behind the PS pump and I realized it was coming from camshaft seal and from the cam front cover not being properly installed.

I replaced the seal and removed the front cover, prepared the surface for installing the covers and using the anaerobic gasket sealer (loctite 574) and the right torque pressure, I installed the cover back in its place.

That was last night, and this morning when I checked the car, the sealant that got out from putting the parts together is still not dry (orange in the pictures)

How long does it take to the sealant to dry?

 

[gsxr]

That was last night, and this morning when I checked the car, the sealant that got out from putting the parts together is still not dry (orange in the pictures)

How long does it take to the sealant to dry?

This is normal. Anaerobic sealant does not dry except if no air is present (i.e., when sandwiched between 2 metal pieces). The orange sealant exposed to air remains in liquid form. If it's already sat overnight, you are OK to start the engine.

 

[pablo2696]

This is normal. Anaerobic sealant does not dry except if no air is present (i.e., when sandwiched between 2 metal pieces). The orange sealant exposed to air remains in liquid form. If it's already sat overnight, you are OK to start the engine.

Awesome, that makes a lot of sense then... thanks!

 

[je11]

t seal and from the cam front cove

you see the leak without removing the steering pump reservoir ? At which are there was the leak ?

 

[pablo2696]

you see the leak without removing the steering pump reservoir ? At which are there was the leak ?

Yes.

When I removed both distributors caps, rotors, and shields, I saw a puddle of oil which meant that both camshaft seals were leaking. As for the cam head front cover, it was hard to see if it was leaking or not because everything was covered in oil. I decided to remove them because I was already there, and after taking them out, I saw they were leaking because there were dry oil marks.

If you have already removed both caps and rotors, cam magnets, and have the right anaerobic sealant, then basically you are already there and the cost of resealing the cam head covers is almost 0 (unless you have to pay someone).

My engine was leaking about a quart of oil for every 60-70 miles so those leaks can get preeeeetty big and expensive over time.