Oil Drain Valve. Good Idea? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 01-27-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Joe

On a W123, these things are a fabulously bad idea. Just another thing that could fail and ruin your engine.

And quick oil change places are evil. Never give these leaches your hard earned money. They are major pontificates of the 3000 mile oil change myth.

Joe

Oh those devils are going to burn in Hell!!!!!!

240Joe · #17 01-27-2006, 06:24 PM

You are correct. You do know that the feds were going to charge them all with consumer fraud back when they were pushing the 3kmiles oil change BS real hard. However, the oil companies lobbied the US EPA to get involved and told the DOJ that even though they were wasting millions of gallons of oil, at least the old oil was being properly disposed of versus what happens when people change their own oil.

The argument was that if they were forced to only push the factory recommended interval, the average cost of an oil change would have to go up because of the lower volume. If the average cost goes up, it was argued that more people would change their own oil, hence more pollution via improper disposal of old oil by individuals. The rest is history.

Now that's government at its best.

Joe

Stevo · #18 01-27-2006, 06:35 PM

I wouldn't want anything hanging down there to get scraped off

. I havent seen many 616s around here without some minor scratches on the bottom of the pan and allot with "major' dings. Just another thing to worry about

Allot of folks use that "Top Sider" to suck it out, I dont mind crawling under.

Diesel Giant · #19 01-27-2006, 07:14 PM

I think that I would NOT put on the valve. To easy to get hit and damaged. It is very easy to change the oil in these cars, so just stick with the drain plug that is stock.

Better safe than sorry.

#20 01-27-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Joe

You are correct. You do know that the feds were going to charge them all with consumer fraud back when they were pushing the 3kmiles oil change BS real hard. However, the oil companies lobbied the US EPA to get involved and told the DOJ that even though they were wasting millions of gallons of oil, at least the old oil was being properly disposed of versus what happens when people change their own oil.

The argument was that if they were forced to only push the factory recommended interval, the average cost of an oil change would have to go up because of the lower volume. If the average cost goes up, it was argued that more people would change their own oil, hence more pollution via improper disposal of old oil by individuals. The rest is history.

Now that's government at its best.

Joe

This sounds like very interesting reading. Would you please share your sources or links so that we can all study up on this sequence of discussion and decisions?

Thanks,

#21 01-27-2006, 08:13 PM

Although I think that the drain valve if not exposed to road hazards is not a totally bad idea for those so inclined, I agree with Diesel Giant. If for no other reason it saves the cost of the valve. It's no big deal to unscrew a drain plug.

Have a great day,