Sudden Oil Leak On Stored 250SL?

[250SLFranco]

I haven't checked in with the goup for a while.....
 My 250SL has been tucked away in my garage all winter.  The motor has not been run for three months.  I came out this morning and found this a small oil leak under the car (see attached picture).  Any ideas how and or why this would start out of nowhere?

[Vander]

It looks red in the photo, if it is red that would be a transmission leak no engine oil

[250SLFranco]

Vander....
    I am pretty sure it is motor oil...I believe it looks red because I enhanced the photo to better view the source of the oil underneath the vehicle.  Either way, and even assuming it is the transmission, why would it start to leak with no activity?
Thanks Vander

[zak]

Have you tracked down the location of the leak?

[wwheeler]

If it is red automatic trans fluid, it will have the potential to leak when stored for long periods of time. This is because the fluid coupler is slowly draining into the pan. It fills the pan higher than normal and usually takes about 2 months are more. It SHOULD not normally leak. But if your speedo housing seal leaks or weeps during regular operation, it will leak worse when the pan fills up. If your speedo housing seal is good, it shouldn't leak.

I replaced my speedo seal and no more leaks. There could be other sources of the leakage, but that was mine.

[67w113]

This happens on my 250 SL, the above post is what a mechanic told me as well.  I just add a very small amount and keep a pan underneath it to catch the spill and judge the amount.

[250SLFranco]

Good comments....
The more that comes out and the more I analyze it, I am now in agreement is is more red in color than the motor oil...so I to now agree that it is transmission fluid....I am going to attempt a squeeze in to try an determine a source.
Thanks again!
Franco

[Jonny B]

Does the car have power steering? Several years ago, the steering unit seals gave up their lives, this is the unit at the firewall, not the pump. I could barely keep fluid in the system. The fluid I had in it at the time was red.

[wwheeler]

Good comments....
The more that comes out and the more I analyze it, I am now in agreement is is more red in color than the motor oil...so I to now agree that it is transmission fluid....I am going to attempt a squeeze in to try an determine a source.
Thanks again!
Franco

If it is that hard to determine if it is motor oil or red trans oil, might be time to look when was the last time the trans fluid was changed. Unlike motor oil, trans fluid should not turn dark under normal circumstances. Most of these cars are driven lightly.