Please Help: Oil Change in '87 300D
 

Time for my first oil change in my new-to-me diesel. How much oil do you put in an '87 300D for an oil/filter change?

I saw one number that said 8 quarts, another said 11. Anyone know for sure?

Also, I bought a OE filter from the MB dealer (made in Germany) and some Rotella 15-40 dino oil. Seems like this should be acceptible for changes every 3000 Miles.

MB service info states "603.91 engine takes 7.0 Qts and 603.96 engine takes 7.5 Qts"
I believe there was a change in the size of the oil reservoir (that appendage on the passenger side of the lower oil pan)
But to be honest, some oil stays in the oil cooler, so to add oil you should do it empirically, start with 6 Qts. Run the engine, wait a few minutes then measure the level on the dipstick and add more, but do not fill to the top mark.
It should remain a little lower than that, that is the maximum range, and it has been said that filling to the top mark can result in increased oil consumption.

Incidentally, there is plenty of talk about oil filters on the Forum, namely that OE (Mercedes) filters are lower in quality than many, Purolator are worse, forget Fram. Members have been cutting filters open to find that they are packed partially with cotton gin waste, bugs and other debris. WIX and Baldwin take the lead in filters that are better or seem not to be using this kind of stuff in their filter media. Use the search feature or scroll back and you will find the long ongoing discussins on this matter.
Finally, I suggest using only synthetic oil in the 603 engines, the hydraulic lifters like it better because they run cleaner and you can use longer change intervals, changing only the oil filter at say 4000 miles and go on to approx. 7500 miles at which time a complete oil change can be done.

I bet you're going to love that '87!
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 295530
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 217300
1987 300D 258230

8.5 quarts with new filter

While you are doing an oil service, check the small O-rings on the oil filter stem pipe (that runs down the center of the filter element) the two near the bottom and these tend cause a reduction in oil pressure at idle if they dry out (and crack).

The pipe is hollow and should be blown out with compressed air also, to be sure its not plugged.

Just got back from changing the oil. I put six qts in and it wasn't even on the bottom of the dipstick. Put two more in and now it's about 3/16" above the "max" mark.

So it looks like mine wants 7.5 qts or so... Weird.

Thanks DieselDiehard, I checked the o-rings on the tube. Both were good. I couldn't figure out how to shoot compressed air in it though. Didn't look as if it would have done any good since the tube wasn't open at the top end.

I just did my '87 300SDL last weekend. 8 qts and it was still not full. I am driving it for a week or so before topping off.

My glovebox manual says 8.5 qts.

BenzDriver, I may have misled you on the hollow bolt, I believe its solid as you noted, sorry about that. Other filter cannisters use a hollow bolt thought, just that I wasn't thinking when I added that to my post.
As for the level being over the max mark, I suppose I would suck some out through the dipstick if I had something like a Topsider to do that. I think I am going to have to buy one of them and dispense with crawling under the car to drain oil to avoid removing the covers under the W124:(
Someone will pop in and say that I'll be missing the opportunity of inspecting all the suspension components under the car, the steering gear, looking for leaks, etc. maybe I'm feeling creaky, but I have no leaks in this one. The 123 chassis crs in the "fleet" are another story though . . I gotta stay dirty somehow!

Alan Hamm, I do recall hearing that there was a change in the size of the aux oil reservoir on the 603 engines, that would explain how some cars can take over 8 Qts. Heck I just remembered that Jag XKE I used to drive, it took 12 qts and then some and leaked like sieve too! Bad dream!

FWIW, I buy AMSOIL in the 2.5 Gal container and just add oil until I get it >almost< to the full mark. There is not much left in the jug when I finish so I might be adding close to 8+ qts I guess I'll have to get more scientific next time I do an oil change and measure it out.

8 quarts brings my SDL to just below the half way mark. Mine takes closer to 9 to fill it. About 8.5-8.75 just like the manual says.

The 300D might have a different oil pan or oil cooler.

What Amsoil do you use? I bought some synthetic and at the last second realized it was not diesel rated. Guess I will have to use it in one of my other cars.