Reading through the forum archives, I see that some level of oil consumption seems to be routine for the OM616 and OM617, although I cannot find a spec for what is permissible. I am curious about the oil consumption members observe in their own cars. If members could share the following information, I would be much obliged, and we would all have a quantitative reference for oil consumption. So:

0. What kind of engine do you have, and for how many miles has it run?
1. How many miles does the engine take to burn through one quart of oil?
2. What major maintenance has been performed on the engine?
3. If oil consumption has changed through time, what was it formerly?

I'm no engine expert; if there are better questions to ask to provide context for oil consumption data, let me know and I'll edit the post.

I'll go first:

0. OM616.912 from August 1978; 576,732 miles.
1. 1,768 miles to burn one quart of oil; none lost to any known leak.
2. Previous owner notes an engine overhaul at 400,000 miles, although he does not know specifically what repairs that entailed.
3. Previous oil consumption has not been cataloged.

__________________
'Betsy the Getaway Car' : 1978 MB 240D, 582k
'The Mistress of the Sea' : 2001 Giant Boulder, 10.30k

'79 240D (616, right?) 118K

Zero oil consumption. Have only had the car and driven it about 1600 miles and changed to amsoil synthetic recently (diesel marine 15w-40), but it does not seem to use any oil. I drove it 1250 miles home from Wyoming and it possibly went down about an eighth of an inch on the stick. The dealer said they changed it, and you have to know they used the cheapest thing they had, so I figure was just straight dino oil. And they didn't put the copper washer on the rounded-off drain plug so it was leaking, probably resulting in the indication on the stick. I put a washer on it, and ordered a new plug.

I fully expect 3-4000 miles before its down any. Will happily update if I find otherwise as I put more miles on the old girl.

I have a 2001 BMW 325 with 90K that has always had amsoil eurospec in it at 6-7K OCI's. Uses zero oil between changes.


EDIT: I did switch the bimmer out to a standard 0w-30 synthetic since that's what it calls for, and it used a quart in about 2K miles. Switched back tothe 5w-40 eurospec and it went back to it's normal self - zero oil consumption. And I replaced the valve cover gasket a few thousand ago, was spotless inside.

__________________
Chris Brown
"OC", So-Cal
1979 240D, 122K, 4spd, Colorado Biege w/Tobacco, Pwr Roof, AC, Cruise, Becker Corona - SOLD
Past Benzos: 71 250 • 83 240D • 84 190E • 04 C240 • 11 GLK350 • 13 c250 Coupe
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...ine=1276896801

'83 240D 616.912.12

around 70K on new long block and imperceptible oil consumption between changes @ 5K intervals with MO1 15W-50 summer and 0W-40 winter.

__________________
'83 240D

China, a 1980 240D.
Body has about 153K. Engine, which came from Scar, has north of 310K miles.
If driven daily, you'd better check the oil at every fill up. {340 to 400 miles}.
No idea how much I add as I pour from a gallon jug, but I probably add a half quart or more.
Sounds like a bunch but in between oil changes it might equal an extra gallon of oil give or take. Usually take......

Smash had a bit of a thirst too, but it was less than China.
It feels weird to drive the white wagon or the E300. Neither one burns a drop!! {so it is possible....}

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

These engines especially the 616 because it revs higher on the highway. Seem to lose some effectivness in the oil ring scraper control area. The average example I Like to see at about 11-12 hundred miles per quart or better during reasonable highway use.

Now if oil leaks are present and are greater than seepage is another story. There is perhaps a slight possibility that the blowby is more substantial at high revs and it may push some down the valve seals as well.

My 84 240D Euro with about 250k uses about a quart of 15w40 in 3333 miles.

On the other hand, my 85 Phord V8 pickup seems to have just developed an Exxon Valdez type of leak all of a sudden. Half a gallon in 50 miles. People following me on the freeway are flipping me the bird. Need to get a look at the leak tomorrow. I think it's gonna be the front engine cover.......

__________________
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

We have driven the 240D 3300 miles since Feb 1 when we picked it up. we took it to Portland, Oregon in May. It`s 750 miles each way going up Hwy-5. used 1/2 quart each way. this is the only oil it has used, then it is wound up pretty good on the Hwy.

Spedo is now up to 309,200. don`t have any history if any eng work has ever been done to it.

since we have been home, there doesn`t seem to be any drop in the oil level.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

79 240d, 12K miles on a full re-build.
Uses 1 qt. in 2,300 miles. Almost all of the mileage is highway speed, 65 mph or so.
After the re-build, it had higher useage, but got better as the rings seated in.
No leaks or other problems.

__________________
79 240D

1976 617.910 186K

1500 miles to use a quart, however it does leave 1 or 2 drops on the driveway every night(back of the valve cover leaks).

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg