One more question for today. I'm trying to get a feel for my oil consumption and feel sure I know.
How to you know if the oil filter canister is not draining into the pan, or is it supposed to after 2 days of sitting?

1981 300d NA

Pat

I don't know the answer to that..
but this seems like a good place to mention that many people have observed that their cars use less oil if they keep their oil level below the half way mark on the dipstick.. between low and full mark....
Also.... if there is any question.. be sure your oil dipstick is the ' RIGHT COLOR'... as we have had people discover the wrong one was in their car... IE... the wrong length and thus indicating the wrong level in the engine...

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

I guess I'll ask another way. Can you be assured that the oil always stays in the filter canister if O-ring is OK? Any takers?

Pat

You could always let the car sit, then check the level, then take the bolts out of the filter lid, and raise it up, then wait a bit more, then check the level again... If it stayed the same the can drains... If it went up, it doesn't.

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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 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

If it doesn't, is that good/bad/fixable?

Well engines are lubricated with filtered oil should the filter can drain down the filter canister needs to fill up first before it starts lubricating the engine components right after a startup. If it does drain down after a startup maybe 10 seconds later you will hear the engine make a slightly different sound almost a sound of relief but a happy sound. Changing the bottom and top o rings on the shaft running through the middle of the oil filter should fix the drain down if that's what you are after.

Exactly what I'm after. I'd like to know when I pull the dipstick that I'm reading the correct value.
Thanks so much
Pat

Precise oil level checking should be done exactly 10 minutes after the engine has bhut off.