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

2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240
145,000 MILES • 2.6L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SOMEONE12132
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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.
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Aug 10, 2023 at 11:03 PM
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STRAILER
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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.

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Aug 11, 2023 at 12:54 PM
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SOMEONE12132
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The drain plug is alright and even the front and rear seals are good too. The fluid also seems sticky. I changed the power steering fluid recently. Is it possible that there could be a leak somewhere?
Aug 13, 2023 at 10:13 AM
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STRAILER
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Yes, that is possible. Can you tell if it is power steering fluid or engine oil? Also check the power steering fluid to see if it is low, this can help us determine what kind of fluid is leaking.
Aug 14, 2023 at 11:34 AM