I checked my oil after driving to work this morning (was about a quart low), and when I opened the oil cap, there appeared to be steam or some sort of visible vapor curling up from the opening. I was a bit alarmed. Should I be? As far as oil consumption, it seems I use about a quart every 3 fillups or so.

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Frau Frankenbenz: 1983 240D manual w/ 1984 300SD engine; 81 240D tranny; 2.88 diff. 317,XXX miles.

2004 VW Passat TDI Wagon: Offline awaiting an oil pump balance shaft delete

1978 International Scout 4 Cyl all stock: Awaiting exhaust repair

2005 Ford E350 Diesel: Getting everything from point A to B without complaint

I wouldn't worry too much, it sounds like you have a little blowby from the piston rings.

The steam is combustion gasses and little particulates of oil.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Every car I have seen does this. Remember oil has to be kicked up into your valve cover area to keep that camshaft lubed up, so its no at all unusual to see a little bit of steam after running the engine hot..Thats why the cap is there

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http://www.betten.mercedescenter.com...n_banner_1.jpg
1976 300D
190,000 Miles
Colorado Beige

1975 300D
Parts Car
78,000 Miles
Rustbucket
Also Colorado Beige

1984 190D 2.2 (Dad's)
156,000 miles
Champagne Metallic Clearcoat

Sure glad I came accross this thread. At the end of April I bought my first MB 240d (1981). It too uses oil, and then the oil filler cap started to seep oil. When I took off the cap to wip the oil, 'steam' also came out. I guess this is not too much out of the ordinary. Also, I have to add oil every two or three days (I drive around 160-170 miles a day).

My MB, previous owners, did not seem to take very good care of the car, what a shame. They claimed the body had 170,000 miles and the engine was from another 240d and it had around 70,000 miles. But ........

Still, I am glad I have this car. I sure hope, with a little better care, this car will last to around 500,000 before any real problem occur.

Bob
1981 MB 240D 174,000 miles
1984 Isuzu P'up Diesel 502,000 miles

I do have a bit of blowby - need to tighten down the breather tube. Also I am due for a valve adjustment, that should help a little. It's good to figure out what exactly I should be stressing out about and what I shouldn't.

__________________
Frau Frankenbenz: 1983 240D manual w/ 1984 300SD engine; 81 240D tranny; 2.88 diff. 317,XXX miles.

2004 VW Passat TDI Wagon: Offline awaiting an oil pump balance shaft delete

1978 International Scout 4 Cyl all stock: Awaiting exhaust repair

2005 Ford E350 Diesel: Getting everything from point A to B without complaint

I agree, it's nothing to worry about, just some oil vapor (not really steam). I have found that I need to put a hose clamp on the breather hose to keep it from seeping oil onto the top of the valve cover.