help! oil change runied my '80 300D - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

leathermang · #31 11-22-2011, 11:08 AM

I am glad you posted the name and location..... hope it helps others avoid big problems...

NEWTO1980300D · #32 11-22-2011, 11:09 AM

So mad right now and I'm trying to calm down before the rest of my parent conferences. I asked to speak with the manager and they must have had caller i.d. because they put me on the phone with him and he's NOT the manager!

vstech · #33 11-22-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWTO1980300D

just that it was 15w40 i called him up just now and he didn't even apologize he said, "Oh, that's ****ed up. Every Mercedes has the oil filter in the front."

no... what's f**** up is a "mechanic" did not know that the oil filter does not have a belt drive on it...

in the 4 decades I've worked on cars, I've NEVER assumed where the filter was...

(I've also never mistaken a powersteering pump for an oil filter...)

300sdToronto · #34 11-22-2011, 11:46 AM

First, welcome to the forum!

I started using this forum about 5 years ago knowing very little about how to maintain a Mercedes. It's a fantastic resource if you use the search feature. The knowledge on this forum will help you to tackle basic or even advanced maintenance issues yourself or to arm you to deal intelligently with the garage community out there.

A couple of thoughts on your situation.

First in Philly it can get chilly in the winter. Once you have figured out how to change the oil yourself or have found an independent shop who understands the basics of old Mercedes, you should consider running synthetic oil in the winter as it will make your starting easier. There are as many opinions on oil here as there are forum members

but all the oil companies have good web sites that will tell you which of their oils are designed for diesel engines. As said above not all 15W/40 conventional oils are designed for diesel operation.

If you are buying conventional (refined from crude oil) engine oil then a diesel rated 15W/40 oil is the way to go for your car but this does have the drawback that it gets thicker - and impedes starting - as temperatures get signidficantly below the freezing mark. At risk of starting a religious debate on the forum, I use synthetic 5W/40 as we regularly get cold temperatures up here in BC.

There are some excellent "how to's" on this forum and you can buy all the parts you need from Phil at Fastlane - click on the "Buy parts" link on the top of this web page. Get your parts from him as they support this forum!

Finally, in addition to the material on this site there are some excellent pictorial how-to's on a web site called Dieselgiant. These can help fill in the blanks for an absolute beginner.

Good luck.

StaggerLee · #35 11-22-2011, 11:57 AM

When you get the bill from the "real" mechanic, take it to the "Clown Shop" and have them pay for it. It's the least they could do.

leathermang · #36 11-22-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300sdToronto

.....Finally, in addition to the material on this site there are some excellent pictorial how-to's on a web site called Dieselgiant. These can help fill in the blanks for an absolute beginner..

WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moderator VStech and I have both found and warned about significant ERRORS in the Dieselgiant instuctions.
He is a Seller of some products and lets that influence his advice... leaving out potential problems which are pointed out here on this forum....

300sdToronto · #37 11-22-2011, 12:58 PM

Thanks for the warning. I was thinking of the really basic how-to pictorials such as the oil change and the steering pump fluid change. I can't vouch for the accuracy of the more complex stuff.

tangofox007 · #38 11-22-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWTO1980300D

Every Mercedes has the oil filter in the front.

If they had been smart, they would have sold you a new belt for your oil pump. You would not want to loose an engine over a broken belt!!!

leathermang · #39 11-22-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

If they had been smart, they would have sold you a new belt for you oil pump. You would not want to loose an engine over a broken belt!!!

LOL, great point.

Air&Road · #40 11-22-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWTO1980300D

just that it was 15w40 i called him up just now and he didn't even apologize he said, "Oh, that's ****ed up. Every Mercedes has the oil filter in the front."

I'm trying to remember an MB that I've seen that DOES have the oil filter in the front.

vstech · #41 11-22-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I'm trying to remember an MB that I've seen that DOES have the oil filter in the front.

my mom's 06 c 320 wagon had the oil filter up front... upside down spin on protruding through the engine cover.

Zacharias · #42 11-22-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I'm trying to remember an MB that I've seen that DOES have the oil filter in the front.

And no doubt he is used to dealing with the fact that Mercedes use reddish colour oil and have very tiny filters too.

Good lord.

vstech · #43 11-22-2011, 04:53 PM

for the life of me, I cannot fathom how any mechanic could mix up a PS pump for an oil filter...

in all the tens of thousands of cars I've worked on, I've not had to remove a lock ring inside a filter canister to get out the filter...
I remember the old cars from the 50's that had the canister with the bolt through the middle with a washer and they made SUCH a mess getting out the oil.

I'm SOOO surprised that the moron did not guess the fuel filter was for the oil... perhaps he did, and when clear fluid spilled out, he changed his mind...

I wonder what he figured that giant aluminum canister at the rear of the engine was for? you know the one with the giant metal lines going forward to the radiator on the car? maybe he thought it was an AWESOME transmission remote oil filter/cooler setup...