Oil change "suckcess" (W123) and Mobil to Delo - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jeremy5848 · #1 04-29-2007, 12:52 AM

This is a combined report on (a) 5000 miles of Mobil-1 use and (b) using a pump to suck the oil out of the crankcase -- both involving my 1985 300DT.

I had changed to Mobil-1 Delvac 5W-40 for the winter, wanting to do everything I could for the old beast when we visited Snow Country. As it turned out, the coldest we saw was +18F, so the challenge was minimal, and the car had no problems at all. In 5000 miles, the engine used a little less than 1 quart of the Mobil-1. There were no leaks when the Mobil-1 use began and none developed. I added no oil during this time.

After 5-1/2 months and 5173 miles, it was time to change the oil and filter. I elected to return to Chevron Delo-400 15W-40 for the warmer months, not because I found any fault with the Mobil-1 product but simply because, except for the improved flow at low temps, I didn't notice any difference in performance or fuel economy. (I didn't have the oil tested for soot or anything.) Next winter, I'll probably run Mobil-1 again. The filter was Fram 2930 (the "Turkish Delight"), bought last year on sale at Pep Boys.

Having read many posts here regarding "drain it" vs. "pump it," I decided to try my surplus store oil drain pump. This was the first oil change I had done the "new" way, without lying on the floor and removing the drain plug. After draining as much oil as I could get out (measured about 6+ quarts), I pulled the drain plug to see how much more I could get out. Answer: none, not a drop! The pump had drained the sump dry. I was impressed. I'm looking forward, therefore, to the next oil change on my wife's '87, and being able to do it without removing the belly pan.

Jeremy

yellit · #2 04-29-2007, 02:16 AM

What kind of pump did you use...?..I got one of those see through moeller things at the boat shop and it works great....So far have done the 240D, Volvo 740 and a Saturn wagon....no more crawling under the beasts if it holds up.....

Jeremy5848 · #3 04-30-2007, 02:55 PM

My pump doesn't have a brand name. It's called an "oil extractor," was made in Taiwan. I paid maybe $20 for it ten years ago at the surplus store. It works, but it's slow and noisy and I don't know how long it will last. I may try fabricating something from a small garden sprayer and a vacuum pump that I own. The sprayer bottle is built to handle some pressure (thick plastic walls) so it may tolerate a small amount of vacuum.

yellit · #4 04-30-2007, 03:56 PM

That is what I am going to do with an old metal tank I have....Looks like the biggest problem is finding the tubes to go down the dipstick tube.....any kind of Vac pump should do it.....

Jeremy5848 · #5 04-30-2007, 04:38 PM

Any stiff plastic tubing should do. Larger diameter probably better, so long as it doesn't get stuck.

The tube needs to be long enough to bottom out at the end of the dipstick tube, where it must almost touch the bottom of the oil pan.

dieseldiehard · #6 04-30-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Any stiff plastic tubing should do. Larger diameter probably better, so long as it doesn't get stuck.

The tube needs to be long enough to bottom out at the end of the dipstick tube, where it must almost touch the bottom of the oil pan.

I use a teflon thick walled tubing, inserted into clear plastic hose that attaches to the intake side of the pump. The teflon is stiff enough it goes down into to dipstick tube nicely and I cut the bottom at a bevel of about 45 degrees so it won't go flat against the bottom of the pan.

My "oil sucker" pump is home made and has served me for alomst two years now. I built it after having trouble with removing the bottom pan on my '87 300D
her's my other post on "Topsiders" For oil change, any way to NOT remove front 1/2 of belly pan?