sometimes i think we're all marching backwards (part 2)

this afternoon i finally got around to looking at the oil leak in the 190e. i put the car up on a jack stand (although i can easily see under the car with it being so high, unlike my other cars) and could immediately see oil dripping out from the plastic belly tray. i took it off and the pool of oil it was carrying spilled out.

the leak was coming from a spring-covered hose that i initially thought was an oil return line going into the oil pan, but after reviewing the pictures and thinking about it, i realized it wouldn't have an oil return line because there's no turbo or any auxiliary system using oil. i traced the line and it ran from the radiator to the oil pan where it was only clamped down on, and then ran back up somewhere else.

i reviewed some factory repair manuals i snagged off the internet and found a diagram showing the hose which was for the automatic transmission cooler (which is why it leads to the radiator, there are two sandwiched together). i located a replacement hose on some websites and ordered one, along with a replacement breather hose that i found cracked when i first looked at the throttle issue.

so it was just that silly hose leaking. i'm glad it wasn't engine oil leaking out and from something major like a cracked block or leaky head gasket. it makes sense now why the transmission would shift so hard into second (low fluid), and why when i checked the engine oil level it was always fine (wasn't even leaking oil).

so $50 for the two parts and shipping, and they should arrive sometime next week. i'll probably replace the hose and bring it somewhere to have the fluid flushed and completely re-filled.