draining oil
 

Hi,

Just wondering what size the oil drain plug is for an 83 300D. I dont have my own rachet set as of now, and want to ensure i get the right size so i can change my oil. thanks

JMH

Not sure if your 300d is the same, but my '82 300SD uses a 13 mm plug, which is the same size as the filter cover nuts.

jeff Naumann

Roger that with the 13mm. My TD however is larger (but its a grey market car).

Don

just get a std set of sockets from 12-19mm (or 13-17mm something like that :) ) you'll use the others sizes all in due time.


Also I think that my drain plug is either a 15 or 17mm bolt. I'm not to sure though since I change my oil on a sort of Auto Pilot :confused:

My '83 300TD has a 13mm drain plug. For some reason my '80 SD has a 12mm. Just get a standard set of metric wrenches, both sockets and open end ones.

Size does matter
 

Yep, I think my drain plug is 13mm as well. Altough when I use a rachet I need the 3" extention to get to the drain plug and still have a decent amount of 'swing'.

One recomendation I rec'd on this forum is to take the plunge and get a Torque Wrench. The MB CD-Rom Manual specifies tightening torques for almost every bolt. On my engine (617.912) the tightening torque for the drain plug is 40 Nm and the Tightening Nuts on the oil filter cover are 20-25 Nm. Tightening the drain plug with the torque wrench can be a little tight on space, but it is possible.

Its a pricy hand tool, but offers some solice in knowing your bolts are tightend to spec.

Have fun, changing the oil is one of my favorite 'auto-pilot' tasks.

I will reiterate what has been said here thousands of times
"Change it hot, and change it often"

I always use a torque wrench. You definetly don't want to over tighten the drainplug. I don't want a cracked oil pan. I forget what the foot pounds are for the drainplug, but I believe the filter cover bolts are 13 ft lbs. The torque wrench I have is a Craftsman breakaway torque wrench. It's good up to 75 ft lbs. I paid about $60 for it.

I think the drain plug is made to tear apart if it's over tightened (don't ask how I know this)