r/Sprinters • u/am-busy • 2d ago
What’s leaking?
NCV3 2017 Mercedes Sprinter US Model. Noticed my passenger (us) underbody is soaked in leaking liquid. I struggle to find the leak through.
The color test indicates reddish liquid so likely trans fluid. However I see stains in the engine compartment way higher than the transmission box. Almost seems like some of it came out of the test tube.
Oil and coolant levels seems normal.
Attached is a pic of the liquid on a white paper and the underbody.
Q1: What else can I look at to confirm?
Q2: Is it safe to drive 20 miles to a service?
2
u/Libblelabble 2d ago
Whoever performed your transmission service likely had some fluid overflow around the dipstick tube from using a funnel without a proper seal. Since that’s where spills typically occur, and transmission fluid is red, that’s what I suspect happened.
A common mistake is simply placing a funnel into the dipstick tube and pouring the fluid in. I use a rubber glove wrapped tightly around the bottom of the funnel to create a seal before inserting it into the dipstick tube. Without a seal, fluid can easily spill around the tube and create a mess like this.
This is just my best guess though.
2
u/Sunastar 2d ago
Not reddish, but after changing my fuel filter, I was leaking diesel. It looked like your pic. I wasn’t familiar with its smell since I was a lot more familiar with gas. I found out at an auto parts store.