My daughter pulled in and washed her car today and then asked me what was the large black puddle on the ground under her radiator.
Uh oh, visions of leaking oil cooler lines or worse flitted through my mind.
I threw open the hood to find the entire engine bay dripping 5-40 and there in the middle of it all was a valve cover sans oil cap!
I quickly pulled the dipstick to find a 1/2 inch of oil still on the tip. Whew dodged that bullet. As I viewed the scene it became immediately clear that yours truly was the responsible party.
2 days ago I decided to check the oil and found it a quart low, 1600miles since last check. I added the quart and closed the hood to return later for a final dipstick level check.
That was 56 miles ago and I can accurately report that in that distance a 240d will throw 1 quart if the oil cap is not replaced.
The oil cap was lodged between the IP and the block.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

Generally speaking, it's always better to keep the oil on the inside of the engine Be sure to turn toward Germany and offer thanks ...you dodged a bullet fer sure.

Yikes. I'd change the oil. Who knows how much dirt got in there with the cap off like that!

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

That is a very good idea.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

You must be selling your car to Tyler, soon.

Take note, Tyler, this car has had a recent "oil experience", so you don't have to redo it.



I just had to post this for humor sake.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Carfax Report Reads:

"Recently Lubricated..."

The positive base pressure almost assures no dirt entered. Now if you happen to have an old mercedes diesel with no base pressure at all that would be interesting.

Remember those little 'gun cleaning brushes' (called flame arrestors) you used to see on the gas V8's???? Well, I found one made from loops of stainless steel, about .38 caliber, and I inserted it into my breather line. This really cut down on the amount of oil vapor going to the turbo inlet...Robert

Yes, this would be the 5th time the sanctity of my driveway has been violated.

Ol' Turbo oil cooler lines and idiot left the cap off at Tires Plus.





Defaint oil pan & Oil cooler lines:



Trigger oil filter housing

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Tyler , my engine bay looked messier than yours but your under car puddle has mine beat by a quart at least by the look of things.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

If you sell the car, list that the engine bay was recently rustproofed.

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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale**
84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds
00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold)
15 Subaru Outback 43K
11 Subaru Outback 67K
98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now.
30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60

I'm funny about oil changes. I've only had someone do it a few times. I can count on my hand. In my I had an oil cap not put on once. Asked the guy (service Manager) for a rag to check the oil level he walked out with me, popped the lid, and there it was sitting. Mind you, the guy that changed the oil drove it out. I was in the waiting area.
When we were walking out to the car I chatted how I did own changes and I always double checked.
Boy was he surprised when the cap was on top of the engine. He was good about it and offered me my next change free.
Nope.... Never went back. Do my own changes.. Thank you.

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

Hope none of the wash water got in the crankcase!

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I am amazed that the Cap was still in the Engine compartment!

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

It did not apper that any water reached further than the inner fender area through the small holes there.

__________________
1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily