I have an '81 240D with 103k miles on it. When I change the oil, I fill it to the full mark run the engine and let it settle and check again and top it off. I check the oil on a weekly basis between oil changes. It seems that the oil level drops to about 1 qt low and steadies there. I have no oil spots in the driveway where I park and I cannot see any smoke from the exhaust (except at night if someones headlights are close behind me).

Where is this qt of oil going? I do see some crud around the bottom of the oil filter housing that stayes moist. But if a qt of oil was leaking there, it would have to be dripping on the ground?

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1981 240D, Auto Trans, 160k miles -- CRASHED!

you have the wrong dipsitck i suppose. how much oil are you putting in?

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Is it burning it? How much oil do you get out when you perform an oil change?

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

If you insist on topping it off to the max mark, it will simply eject the excess through the breather at high rpm. Midway between the max and min marks is not "a quart low", it's the ideal level.

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'79 300SD W116
'86 190E 2.3-16V W201
'92 300D 2.5 W124
'99 E320 4MATIC S210

I have had several cars that have a 'comfort' level. Put in more and it will burn it off until that level. I have no scientific explanation.

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

Yes, I think there was a TSB that came out Lowering the 8qts to 7/7.5qts.

Thanks for the replys.

I put in 7.5 qts when I change the oil. That brings the oil level up to the top indention on the dip stick.

I've been letting it live at its happy medium, I was just curious.

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1981 240D, Auto Trans, 160k miles -- CRASHED!

"It seems that the oil level drops to about 1 qt low and steadies there"

I dont add oil till the level, (after sitting 4+ hours) is at the LOWER mark and one quart will bring it to just above half way. As was mentioned above, you dont want it to the top mark cause it goes away,

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I put 6.5 to 6.75 quarts into my 1983 240D on an oil change which takes me slightly below the max mark on the dipstick.

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1983 240D 4 sp manual 260K

How fast do you drive it, once I push 90mph on my om617 it tends to push more oil out the breather tube into the intake, resulting in faster consumption of oil. Otherwise say 1 liter per 5K miles.

ROTFLMAO - sorry, now I can type - I drive a 240D, the only time I see 90 mph is when another car passes me doing 90.

I usually drive 65 to 70 mph.

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1981 240D, Auto Trans, 160k miles -- CRASHED!