E300 Diesel overfilled oil question - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nhdoc · #16 08-19-2009, 09:52 PM

The fact is more often than not dealers do overfill them...why? Because they charge by the quart. They always charged the PO for 9 quarts of oil on an oil change for the OM606 even though I have never had to put more than 8 in to get a full change. I suspect they just figure it is an extra $8 per oil change per car...and it does add up over time.

In any event, we have all strayed from the OP's question and I believe it has been answered and beaten to death by now...the extra quart didn't do any harm. I always remind people when they question how an extra quart can do no harm that the car is designed to operate at various angles, pulling G's in different directions without running dry or overflowing...they can handle one extra quart of oil in that giant pan. Now worry about something else!

Oracle12345 · #17 08-19-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

The fact is more often than not dealers do overfill them...why? Because they charge by the quart. They always charged the PO for 9 quarts of oil on an oil change for the OM606 even though I have never had to put more than 8 in to get a full change. I suspect they just figure it is an extra $8 per oil change per car...and it does add up over time.

In any event, we have all strayed from the OP's question and I believe it has been answered and beaten to death by now...the extra quart didn't do any harm. Now worry about something else!

what dealers do you go to?

The most places ive seen it happen is the chain stores who hires people who dont give a crap or dont know any better. The mercedes and lexus dealers ive been at dont do it since its a fireable offense for obivous reasons. As for the extra quart cost I think its what the dealer charges as a standard fee.

js1sj · #18 08-20-2009, 12:43 AM

thanks guys
yea the dealership sheet stated 9 quarts, but the guy said he added less, and it stated 9 since he could not bill 8.5.

nhdoc · #19 08-20-2009, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by js1sj

thanks guys
yea the dealership sheet stated 9 quarts, but the guy said he added less, and it stated 9 since he could not bill 8.5.

Since 8 quarts will fill it then you have your answer...they push in 8.5 and bill for 9. That's why they can get away with charging an extra $8-$10 per car.

nhdoc · #20 08-20-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oracle12345

what dealers do you go to?

The most places ive seen it happen is the chain stores who hires people who dont give a crap or dont know any better. The mercedes and lexus dealers ive been at dont do it since its a fireable offense for obivous reasons. As for the extra quart cost I think its what the dealer charges as a standard fee.

I do not use dealers for oil changes or anything else that I can avoid.

However, the two POs of my car provided me with receipts from three different dealers...every one charged for 9 quarts at an oil change - that, combined with the OP's post certainly disputes your theory about it not being something dealers do.

These cars only need 8 quarts to fill them. When I use 8 the level on the dipstick is at full. Anything over 8 is "overfull" in my opinion. They squeeze more in simply to charge for an extra quart.

As the OP said, they told him they only put 8.5 in, if that's true then they double dip in that they charge for a quart you don't need and only give you half! This is very typical in the industry...it's a way to squeeze a few extra dollars profit out of every oil change basically charging for oil you don't need (and, as we see, don't get!).

t walgamuth · #21 08-20-2009, 08:28 AM

I think the newer benzes have a normal oil level that is very close to the bottom of the crank throw.

On my 350 SDL I once overfilled it by about a half quart. Soon after that I was on a trip and noticed that the temp of the engine was higher than normal and the oil pressure lower.

I slowed down five mph and the temp came back to normal and oil pressure did the same.

I believe it was being whipped up by the crank throws.

Needless to say as soon as I got home I lowered the level to what was required and had no more trouble.

As for the oil sloshing about, under cornering or braking it will move to the front back or side and should rarely if ever rise up in the center where the crank throws are.

nhdoc · #22 08-20-2009, 12:51 PM

Keep in mind that when the engine is running there is a good proportion of the oil which is not in the sump and the amount in the sump is dependent upon numerous factors. For example, if you run a thicker oil or the oil is cold it drains down slower you will have more oil in the top of the engine "in suspension" and in the cylinder head than if you run a thinner oil or when the oil is hot.

The oil level we check when the car is shut down for a few minutes is not the same level that is in the sump while the engine is running - it is much higher - frankly I don't know how you would know how close the level is to the bottom of the crank since you can't measure the level while the engine is running and it varies based upon the viscosity of the oil.

Whatever you experienced it could have been completely unrelated to the oil level - there's a strong urge to draw cause and effect. Frankly, I just have a hard time believing that 1/2 quart of oil over "full" would cause a problem, and I don't see how slowing down 5 MPH would help by stopping the "whipping up" since the engine is turning pretty close to the same speed but again, I won't question what you experienced - I am just saying in general it is very hard to believe that 1/2 quart or even a full quart is an issue.

When you drive on a steep incline for a prolonged period you have to be raising the oil level at the rear of the engine much more than the 1/4-1/2" the extra quart would and the engine needs to be designed not to be damaged under those conditions. If the level were so close to the bottom of the crank then certainly climbing a long hill would cause the same "whipping action" at the back half of the engine you say would happen from being overfilled - I just don't see it happening. Isn't there a crank throw under each piston?

bustedbenz · #23 08-20-2009, 01:23 PM

Those half-quart fill increments always have bothered me anyway. The problem is somebody built the engines to x.0 liter tolerances (Since they're German after all) and so our quarts don't line up. Thus why my 603 actually specifies in the manual (and requires every bit of) 8.5 quarts to fill and then I have to figure out what to do with that odd half quart.

Usually I just carry it since enough leaks out to add it pretty soon anyway.

t walgamuth · #24 08-20-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

Keep in mind that when the engine is running there is a good proportion of the oil which is not in the sump and the amount in the sump is dependent upon numerous factors. For example, if you run a thicker oil or the oil is cold it drains down slower you will have more oil in the top of the engine "in suspension" and in the cylinder head than if you run a thinner oil or when the oil is hot.

The oil level we check when the car is shut down for a few minutes is not the same level that is in the sump while the engine is running - it is much higher - frankly I don't know how you would know how close the level is to the bottom of the crank since you can't measure the level while the engine is running and it varies based upon the viscosity of the oil.

Whatever you experienced it could have been completely unrelated to the oil level - there's a strong urge to draw cause and effect. Frankly, I just have a hard time believing that 1/2 quart of oil over "full" would cause a problem, and I don't see how slowing down 5 MPH would help by stopping the "whipping up" since the engine is turning pretty close to the same speed but again, I won't question what you experienced - I am just saying in general it is very hard to believe that 1/2 quart or even a full quart is an issue.

When you drive on a steep incline for a prolonged period you have to be raising the oil level at the rear of the engine much more than the 1/4-1/2" the extra quart would and the engine needs to be designed not to be damaged under those conditions. If the level were so close to the bottom of the crank then certainly climbing a long hill would cause the same "whipping action" at the back half of the engine you say would happen from being overfilled - I just don't see it happening. Isn't there a crank throw under each piston?

You could be right but it seemed pretty clear to me....and it could have been more than a half quart.

babymog · #25 08-21-2009, 11:31 PM

The 350SDL has a windage tray also.