Oil Change
 

Know nothing about this car yet. Need to change the oil on an 83 300D. How much is needed incl filter change. I'm putting in 20/50 for summer, castrol or pennzoil, or meybe Wall-Mart unless I'm told other wise by the group. I noticed some moisture on the fuel filler cap when I filled up the other day. I sort of suspect this is OK for a diesel car and am asking should I be putting any kind of fuel dryer in the tank or just leave well enough alone.
thanks for you continued help.

Oil Change
 

Thanks Much Bill. This is even easier than my mazda!

rmmagow, does your car have a block heater? if so you can prolly go with 15/40 all year round - chevron delvac or mobil delo is sold at walmart in 1 gal containers which are very convenient since the refill with filter change is 7.9 qts.
i have had no starting problems using 15/40 here in CT (in winter using the block heater only if necessary say below 10 deg f.)
anyhow make sure you use a 'diesel' rated oil. i have heard bad things about penzoil.

I am happy with 10-40, but the previous owner had 5-30w all along inclusing at dealers. (???). I guess if you are going to be hard on the engine like a big load towing you can go with 15-50W.
But I stick to 10-40W year round. i dont really care much on brands on my car cose I change the oil no later than 3500 miles.
I have used mobil, exxon, Amoco but never an unknown brand.

If you are planning to change the oil, be careful about the vacuum lines in the vicinity of the filter( assuming you have 123, 1985 or similar car). Make sure you dont knock them loose. or you can have problems ranging from no shutoff of engine to crazy door locks. just a note of precaution.
MVK

yes do change your own oil just for the very reasons mvk warns about - the quick oil change places no.1 usually do not have the correct diesel rated oils and no2 they invariably knock loose the vacuum line to the fuel shutoff valve ie, cannot turn car off !
def recommend a diesel rated oil though as they have better soot control properties than the regular stuff does. :)
as someone else points out on this forum 'change it hot and change it often' words out diesel's live by.

Why not use Castrol Syntec? You can get a 5W-50 which is good for all year around. It works for me.

P E H