Oil in the footwells

[Ollie]

I just pulled my 1967 250 SL from winter storage and there is moisture in the drivers footwell that soaked up into the carpets!
My first thought  was water, but that seemed very unlikely in the dry storage facility with the soft top on. On further inspection it seems to be a light oily substance. I can not see any seeping from the clutch or brake pedals, so I am stumped. Any thoughts from the learned forum? Second to that, what would be the best way to clean the underpaying and carpets? Thanks.

[mrfatboy]

I once saw a 230sl with a little puddle of fluid in the drivers's foot well.  It turned out to be a tiny leak from the tube connection of the clutch reservoir.

The fluid traveled down the tube through the firewall and puddled in foot well.

Or maybe fresh rat urine?🤪🤪🤪

[Cees Klumper]

Coolant from the heater hoses/core?

[Benz Dr.]

If it's oil corn starch works well to soak it up. Once dry it will vacuum up easily.

[ja17]

Yes, I agree with Cees, probably coolant. It is oily and clear.

[WRe]

Hi,
I had it too and it came from a broken seal of the heater control valve. It dropped on my gas pedal and my toes, clear and oily.
...WRe

[Ollie]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

 So, next question is obviously is how do I go about to fix this? Is this something an amateur like me can attempt or is best left for a pro to tackle? Is there any advice or a play by play in the technical section of the forum to help me out?

[WRe]

Hi,
it will be hard but remove the underdash panel under the steering wheel and follow the marks under the dashboard. You can check the heater control valve through the opening on the firewall:  https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/HeaterControlValve.
...WRe

[Ollie]

Thanks WRe, that is exactly what it is. I appreciate the help. (Does look like a finicky job!)

[Paul & Dolly]

Ollie

Just have a look here in the Technichal manual , lots of info there.
Put "Heater Control Valve" in the search section.

The o rings harden and then leak,
It is reletively easy to service it, but a bit fiddley.
Hope this helps

Paul

[stickandrudderman]

I would pressurise the cooling system and test for leaks that way.

[Jowe]

I had a similar experience the other day when I took my first spring ride. I got a splash on my foot and instant assumed it was a coolant leak from the heater core. Since i have an early 230, there isn't any opening in the firewall to check the heater valve. The only solution was to enter the cave under the dash. Eventually, I could remove the heater core. I will send it to a firm in Germany for refurbishment. I will report when it returns.