I am doing my 1st diy oil change tomorrow AM and wondering if the Coastal brand sold at Advance AP is gonna make a big difference if I use it...any suggestions?

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Step Away From The Coastal Motor Oil...... Put it down and step back.... lol

Anywayz.... To be serious, I would not reccomend Coastal motor Oil for the diesel engines in Mercedes Benz. I would only use it in something like a Ford Festiva, or a Yugo or something like that......

Use a good quality Diesel Rated oil, like Chevron Delo 400, Shell Rotella T, Castrol GTX Diesel, or any thing thats quality and has a C rating......

Coastal is an S rated oil, and is fine for gasoline engines, but not Diesels, especially MB Diesels.......

__________________
1983 Mercedes 300D
Atlanta, GA

A few things you should know if this is your first time doing the change yourself:

1. First of all make sure you are using a motor oil approved for diesel engines.
2. Drain your old oil out with the engine HOT, preferably after a 30 minute or more high speed drive.
3. Always switch the filter, it's worth the minimal expense.
4. I've had very good results using 1 part lucas oil stabilizer to 4 parts oil, it seems to make the engine run a little smoother and keeps your oil from thermally breaking down. You may want to try it if you've got the extra cash, it is expensive stuff, but you get what you pay for.
5. Check condition of old oil for any particulate matter, especially metal.
6. Check oil level several times after completing the change and top off if necessary.
7. Use thick, heat resistant gloves, and be careful especially if you aren't raising the front end, and don't drop the drain plug in the oil pan .

__________________
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

OK so no Coastal oil...got it...didn't think so that's why I asked...
Q: What if I find metal; or "particulate matter"..? (not that I expect to, engine runs nice.)
btw thanks; and of course I will change the filter too
Gloves I've never heard of using; I guess it's hot down there. I planned on usung a wratchet onn the plug.....

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Go ahead and make an addict out of the W123

Mobil 1 DELVAC (packaged as 5W40 truck and S.U.V. @ Walmart [beelzebub
to Amerika])

FORGET CHEAP OILS WITH THESE SUPERIOR AUTOMOBILES!

200,000 miles from now you will not regret it!

Oh yeah, well of course use a ratchet, but it's good to wear those long, thick, gloves that cover about half your forearm because it doesn't feel good to have hot oil get all over you (not to mention soaks into skin) or touch the oil pan after a long freeway drive.

About finding metal chips in the oil--if your filter is very clogged and the oil hasn't been changed in a long time then a tiny amount might be nothing to worry about, but if you find any serious deposits this is a bad sign of engine health.

Good luck and remember to change your oil often on these diesels, they certainly benefit from it.

__________________
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

If you're showing 200+K miles and this is your first oil change I don't think it will make a rat's rear end which type of oil.....

I'd go with the delvac 1 myself

__________________
Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

The thing I have learned from this forum is to use a high quality oil and filter.. That is essential to engine health and longevity.

__________________
1983 Mercedes 300D
Atlanta, GA

It's not the 1st oil cx. It's 1st one doing it as a DIY. for me....
Thanks for the tips. I got 2 Gallons of Rotella and a couple of ramps from (yucch) WalMart. Actually cheaper than Advance AP.
BTW I saw they have a Rotella SYNthetic. Any one have experience with this?

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Make sure those are heavy duty ramps rated for trucks. Your MB is heavy and you don't want to get crushed. I have seen cheap ramps collapse before.

BTW, I can change the oil on my 123 without putting it in the air. There is a lot of clearance down there.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

I can change the oil in 5 minutes without getting dirty and without using a jack or ramps.

__________________
'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Delano,

5 Minutes, that's amazing. It takes me at least 12 hours. But I get almost every last drop out including the oil cooler.

P E H

OK 5 is hyperbole. In reality it probably takes 10 to 15. I do change it hot and after 2500, I just don't wait 12 hours for it all to drip out. There is a limit to things.

__________________
'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

I don't wanna get crushed. The ramps are rated for 8,000lbs. I hope that's enuf...

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

That should be fine.

Just make sure that they are good and level, and if they're steel, make sure that any bolts are tight.

I've used Rotella synth, also Chevron Delo 400, lately Mobil 1 15-W50, but I might try the Mobil 1 Truck and SUV fomula next. Not too expensive at Wal-Mart if you get the bigger jugs.

Some people don't like the Rotella dino oil as much as the Chevron Delo.

__________________
Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic