Well it has been 62 days, 16,240km, 10,500 miles since my last oil and filter change. I normally don't let it go that long but I was relying on the Flexible Service System (FSS) and it was still showing 4,800km, 3,000 miles to my next service. I only added 1/2 of a quart during this period.

The good news is that 2 days after the change and the Rotella T6 5W40 is still clean. You may recall that I posted that my last oil change stayed clean on the dipstick for over 10 days.

I used the same drain procedures this time but I measured the extra oil that came out. I drained the oil normally and put the drain plug back in after the oil stopped dripping. I then using a large 3 ton jack raised the driver's side (North American drive) up as high as the jack would go. Both wheels were off the ground. After lowering I drained and measured the extra oil that came out and I got over 3/4 of a quart of oil that would normally be left in the engine.

I think this extra 3/4 of a quart of oil removed is the principal reason that the oil stays clean on the dipstick days after an oil change. Previous to this jacking routine my oil would be black as tar after driving to the end of the driveway.

I thought that the previous oil change might have been a fluke but now I am 100% certain that I am draining more dirty oil out of the engine that before. Refilling took all of 2 full gallons and leaves the oil level midway between full and add oil on the dip stick.

I am draining more oil out and adding more back. It is a bit of extra work but for me it is worth the effort.

Now where is the oil coming from? My belief is that it is oil left on the head that drains when tilted. It could also be that I am draining the oil cooler. Or it could be that I am doing a bit of each. I don't know but I do like the result and would encourage others to try the same.

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1999 Mercedes E300TD daily driver sold at 238K miles 106K miles were mine, rust worm got it :-(
2006 Mercedes CDI new daily driver! 56,000 miles May 2016 now 85,625 Apr 2018 and Apr 2019 101,000 miles Apr 2020 109,875. March 2024 135,250, Dec 2024 145,000 miles

You are a brave man running that long between changes !!!

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

How about the oil in the oil cooler?

Sixto
87 300D

How about parking it facing uphill when you do the oil change? Might be safer than working with a jack.

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'83 300DTurbo http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/318559.png

Broadband: more lies faster.

There is nothing brave about going that long with synthetic oil and that line of thinking is outdated. Trust the FSS, take it to 21,040km if it says to. It will save money, save resources and extend the life of the motor.


Agreed, it's the cooler oil.



.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I had an old volvo once, and I had to put a quart of oil each week. Since it was self renewing I hardly ever changed the oil in that car

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[/SIGPIC]~cirrusman

1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
[SIGPIC]




1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

ya know, that's a really bad idea right?
unless you are changing the filters, the soot level will build up dangerously high just topping off the burned/leaked oil.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

OH no it looks like I have helped start another oil thread !!!
Im out of here!!

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

8,250 miles were done on a road trip.

I agree that the FSS is a sophisticated instrument but . . . that is a long time.

The real purpose of the post is to give tips on how to get more used oil out of the motor with each oil change and I am able to get 3/4 of a quart extra out. I would be interested if others consider following the drain procedure.

Any photos around showing the valve cover off? I would be interested to see where the oil pools.

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1999 Mercedes E300TD daily driver sold at 238K miles 106K miles were mine, rust worm got it :-(
2006 Mercedes CDI new daily driver! 56,000 miles May 2016 now 85,625 Apr 2018 and Apr 2019 101,000 miles Apr 2020 109,875. March 2024 135,250, Dec 2024 145,000 miles

Last oil change, the oil in my 617 stayed clean for over 2 miles. It usually turns black in 30 seconds at idle.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

I was merely responding to an out dated statement that it was left there too long made in response to your original post and again your above statement that's too long (unless it's been more then a year). The fact you went on a long road trip means your oil can stay there much longer as opposed to heavy idling, short trips, etc. The FSS monitors oil change requirements based on actual needs. It was safe to go that additional 4,800 km. Trust it and it will save you money and prolong the life of your engine.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System