I took the air filter out to look at it today and noticed that the whole air filter compartment has about 4 inches of oil in it. Is this normal?

I believe the 75 uses an oil bath air filter.

That model does have an oil bath air cleaner, however, the fill mark (arrow) is at about the 1 inch level, not 4 inches.

Clean the element with kerosene or something similar. Muck out the bottom of the air cleaner bottom. Refill with clean engine oil to the arrow mark.

Reassemble.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Thanks a bunch guys! I just had my 84 300D totaled hit in run on my birthday in front of my house. I picked up this 240D yesterday for 1300 bucks and freaked out when I saw the oil.

Yes the air filter is supposed to have a little oil in it but not too much. It's really fun to clean. If you think that's fun, wait until you do an oil change (read some of the threads on here about the W115 oil filter cartridge before you do). Remember not to wear anything white or otherwise don't want to get oil on when doing any of this

Sorry to hear about your 300D. That must have made for a horrible birthday. Glad you were able to get another Mercedes quickly though.

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1976 240D "Katja"

I did the oil change today and it was a blast. I still have oil on my back and in my hair that I cannot get out.

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01 ML320 Auto White 95k "The Wife's"
75 240D Manual Yellow 57K "My baby"
84 300D/T Auto Gold 120K "Now my brothers"
84 300D/T Auto Silver 300K "Totaled"