Oil for 98 300D

[richunters]

Had a chance to buy a 98 300D this weekend

Noted that this car had been serviced by the same MB dealership in Houston (Greenway) from day 1. The records indicate they used mainly Castrol and some Valvoline. Most often the notation were Castrol 20W50.

Could this be a synthetic oil? I read somewhere that synthetic oil must be used for FSS to work properly.

[richunters]

Bill where do you buy Delvac 1 in Houston?

Went to Walmart today and found Castrol 20w50 (dino), Castro Syntec 20w50 (synthetic) and Castrol Syntec Blend (dino mixed w synthetic). Although I can't be sure MB Greenway used regular dino, the probability is 99.9% they did- I now see the bill was for $1.85 per quart. Since another thread I found on www.mb-diesel-cars.com mentioned Only synthetic oil should be used for cars with Flexible Service System, has anyone here received any communication from MB regarding this problem?

Call 1-800-FORMERCEDES and register your car with them if you haven't already done so. Then ask to speak to someone about the FSS letters and lawsuit so you can get the letters about it that you should. The lawsuit affects the car, not any particular owner, so your car is covered by the 150,000 mile engine warranty and you need to get the letter along with the $35 service coupon. You must use synthetic if you want to be covered by the extended engine warranty. You better use synthetic if you plan to follow the FSS recommendations. However, if you don't care about either of the above and want to use dino oil, that shouldn't be a problem if you change the oil every 3K or so.

Len
'99 E300

[McDiesel]

shell just introduced its version of rotella t synthetic 5-40
read on www.rotella.com

[richunters]

Looked at Walmart and Autozone and asked araound as to where to buy Mobil Delvac 1 in Houston Tx. Finally went to the Mobil website located a distributor H&W Petroleum on Wallisville Rd close to the 610 loop. Price is reasonable $81 for a case of 4 one gallon containers.

[samiam4]

You can buy delvac from Cat dealers too. It is their 5W40 oil. If you are luck and your local dealer carries it, it's ussually cheaper. I agree that using a good oil is the way to go. Especially on a newer (aka expensive) car. For FSS cars, any current MB spec oil will work. Call MB and ask for a current lubrication sheet (229.3) from the technical department. Online Wolfgang's ML page has the information posted, as well as older specs.

Depending on the mileage, you might want to do a transmission service too. These were "sealed for life transmissions". It should be about $200 at the dealer. If you do it yourself, use OE fluid/filter/cap/ and dipstick!

Michael

[richunters]

called the Houston Caterpillar dealer. They carry only one engine oil, in 15W40 @ $9.27 per gallon. That must not be Delvac 1.

[samiam4]

Nope,

That would be Mobil 1300(guesing). They would have to order the 5W40=0(

Michael