what amount of oil is represented by the notches in a '81 300 sd's dip stick? I have driven about 1800 mi since my initial (just bought the car) oil change and it is 1/2 way from the top notch to the second (bottom) notch. On other cars this would represent 1/2 qt. is that true for this car? Is that excessive? I can only see smoke at night when some one is behind me with lights on and I am pouring the coal to 'er.

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dan

If you are in between, that is perfect. I belive the difference is 2 qts. from the bottom notch to the top notch.

On any MB I've owned, it's 2 litres (about 2Q) between the two marks.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Greetings,

I'd say you are about 1 3/4 quarts low on oil if I have my measurements right. I'd investigate as to where it all went. Is there a severe leak on the head or pan gasket to account for the oil loss, or is it burning this much? The rear pan seal is a real leaker if you park on an incline with the nose facing up. If that's the problem, I'd search for level parking.

Charles

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"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan

Capacity between marks (indentations) is approx. 1 quart. according to the Haynes diesel manual (page 34). You are using/leaking one quart every 3600 mi. Verry acceptable. One liter = 1.06 quarts.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

I have always had a problem getting an accurate reading on the dipstick. When I pull out the dip stick, the oil level is higher on one side than the other, and I mean by a 1/4 of an inch. I have this "problem" on both my SD and TD, same engine, go figure. So when I go to check the oil, I have to remember which side I looked at the last time, to determine if and how much oil I have burned.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

I don't remember the exact figures, however there I can look it up when I get some spare time. I remember there is a TSB which details a change to the max oil level. The upper notch on the dipstick was changed. The new dipstick has a different colored handle. This change was in mid-1984.

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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



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