How many quarts oil go into 83 300D? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lws1 · #1 08-07-2007, 01:05 PM

I am thinking about changing my own engine oil because my regular garage is busy and was wondering how many quarts my 1983 300D take?

I did a search here and know which brand of oil and filter.

Do I need any special tools to accomplish this? And do I "have" to have it up on ramp or can I do it flat on the ground?

Thanks, Lance

MattBelliveau · #2 08-07-2007, 01:06 PM

I believe capacity is right around 7q.

94mgm · #3 08-07-2007, 01:08 PM

No special tool required, all you need is a wrench, a pan and a tall curbstone

rrgrassi · #4 08-07-2007, 01:10 PM

7.9 to be exact, Dump in 7, let it stit for about 30 min, check the level. As long as the level is between the two indentions on the dipstick, all is good.

vstech · #5 08-07-2007, 01:25 PM

er, put in 7, START the car, and let it idle for a few minutes, shut it down and wait 10 minutes, THEN check the level and if it's between the two marks you are golden.
plenty of clearance for your arm to reach the drain bolt without jacking it up.
13MM wrench for the drain bolt, and the oil filter nuts, drain the oil filter FIRST, then drain the pan. put the copper washer that comes with the oil filter on the drain bolt. be sure to pull out the oil filter canister o-ring and put in the new one.
enjoy wrenching on your car!

lws1 · #6 08-07-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

drain the oil filter FIRST, then drain the pan. put the copper washer that comes with the oil filter on the drain bolt. be sure to pull out the oil filter canister o-ring and put in the new one.
enjoy wrenching on your car!

The last oil I changed was when I was a teenager and it was on an American car and I think the setup was a bit different with the oil filter angled down. How do you drain an oil filter? Don't you just take the lid off of the oil filter canister and pull it out? Thanks, Lance

#7 08-07-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lws1

How do you drain an oil filter? Don't you just take the lid off of the oil filter canister and pull it out? Thanks, Lance

Yup, when you remove the canister cover, the oil will drain. I normally remove the drain plug and replace the filter while it's draining. Be careful not to over-tighten the studs on the oil filter canister (the need to be tight, but don't break them), and be careful of the vacuum lines above the filter (they are easy to knock loose).

rrgrassi · #8 08-07-2007, 02:01 PM

Yep, that's all you do. The oil drains back to the block in these cars.

JPMOSE · #9 08-07-2007, 02:03 PM

Is it a turbo or non-turbo engine? I believe they have different capacities.

lws1 · #10 08-07-2007, 02:06 PM

Now I feel really dumb. I watched the guy at the shop change the oil on my 560 and was thinking the filter housing would be in the same place on the diesel. I just went out and can't locate where that is. Where is it in relation to the air filter or something that's ez to identify for a layperson? Thanks again. Lance

BTW, I still have the old fluid from the radiator. Where is the best place to recycle that? Will the auto parts places take that stuff or do I need to find a service station that actually still works on cars?

#11 08-07-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPMOSE

Is it a turbo or non-turbo engine? I believe they have different capacities.

If it's a U.S. spec 83 300D, it's a turbo. I agree it's full capacity is 7.9 quarts, mine usually takes about 7-7.5 to reach the center point between the dipstick marks.

lws1 · #12 08-07-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPMOSE

Is it a turbo or non-turbo engine? I believe they have different capacities.

Yes, it's a U.S. 300D. I'll put in 7qts and baby feed it from there.

vstech · #13 08-07-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lws1

Now I feel really dumb. I watched the guy at the shop change the oil on my 560 and was thinking the filter housing would be in the same place on the diesel. I just went out and can't locate where that is. Where is it in relation to the air filter or something that's ez to identify for a layperson? Thanks again. Lance

BTW, I still have the old fluid from the radiator. Where is the best place to recycle that? Will the auto parts places take that stuff or do I need to find a service station that actually still works on cars?

don't feel dumb.
its the large aluminum cylinder next to the brake booster in front of the driver on the rear of the block near the firewall. two 13mm nuts on it.
and a large pain in the but heater hose going accross it.

Jeremy5848 · #14 08-07-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lws1

...Where is it in relation to the air filter or something that's ez to identify for a layperson? Thanks again. Lance

BTW, I still have the old fluid from the radiator. Where is the best place to recycle that? Will the auto parts places take that stuff or do I need to find a service station that actually still works on cars?

The oil filter in a MBZ diesel is at the rear of the engine, next to the firewall, in between the power brake booster and the cylinder head. See photo. It is an aluminum casting with a cover held on by two nuts that take a 13mm wrench. A socket with a short extension works well.

As to the old radiator fluid, the stuff is poisonous. Don't pour it on the ground or drink it. It needs to go to whatever exists in your area does home hazardous waste disposal.

Jeremy

PS: If you leave the drain plug out, you can pour a lot more than 8 quarts in!

PPS: There are gadgets you can buy or make that suck the oil out the dipstick tube. I have recently used them and you get every bit as much oil out as you do by removing the drain plug. It's a personal thing, some people feel better "knowing" that all the bad oil is out, by removing the plug. YMMV.

lws1 · #15 08-07-2007, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the info. It doesn't look very ez to get out! Yikes! I will post and let you know how it turned out. The guy I bought the car from has an extra Purculator (sp) oil filter and I was planning on using, just this one time until I can get my hands on a Mann or Hengst. Will that be ok for this one time? It is made in India but says it's made to OE specs.