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#1
06-02-2003, 02:03 PM
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When do you "top up" oil?
When the dipstick is halfway to the "quart low" mark, is it OK to add a full quart?
I notice after oil changes the oil level is often "high" on the dipstick..."above" where it should be. Car in question '83 240D 250k miles. Thoughts? Thanks 
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#3
06-02-2003, 02:40 PM
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It would be better to be a quart low than to be any HIGH... because you run the risk of the oil being in contact with the bottom of the crank throws... or the air near them... and FOAMING THE OIL... ie, OXIDIZING IT... thus pretty much taking away its lubrication abilities... and you won't know it till later when the engine has already suffered the effects....
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#4
06-02-2003, 03:16 PM
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DO NOT add oil until it reaches the "MIN" mark on the dipstick. I believe there is a TSB regarding this. (?) Sixto's method is good. The "MAX" mark is just that, a maximum, not a recommended level! My engines have low oil consumption so I rarely need to add oil between changes, even with 10kmi intervals. (OK, the '84 uses more, and I need to add 1 quart between 7.5k changes...) :p
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#5
06-02-2003, 05:32 PM
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at the min. mark
and then only a half a quart. If mine is filled to max.,the motor burns off the first half quart in about 500 miles. while it takes about 2200 more miles to burn off the other half. so when I change the oil I only fill to the half way mark. Two of my other cars did the same thing.
thebern
__________________
1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed) 1984 300CD 172,483 1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05 Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs
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#6
06-02-2003, 06:34 PM
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I add oil when I notice the oil pressure gage flickers going around a corner. I bet this will bring some comments.
P E H
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#7
06-02-2003, 06:46 PM
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P.E. Haiges
That comment reminds me of the fellow that came into my Gulf Oil Station one afternoon many years ago. He wa driving a Ford Maver-wreck and it was rattling and smoking something fierce. He asked if I would add a quart of oil, just something cheap. Do you have any of that stuff for 50 cents? So I got out the bulk recycled crap and poured in a quart. It will didn't show on the dipstick. Asked if he needed anymore. No, he said, I never add anymore than enough to get her to stop shaking like that. Never have changed the oil either.
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#8
06-02-2003, 07:06 PM
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PEH, Wow, those Urethane bushings on your antisway bar are really working well....
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#10
06-03-2003, 07:30 AM
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"I add oil when I notice the oil pressure gage flickers going around a corner"---PEH
That pretty much explains why you require four (4) Mercedes to keep you in transportation through the year. Several additional nice people could own Mercedes if you did not have the " You will have to pry my cold dead fingers off the steering wheel " attitude about your ( low on oil ) ' Fleet '.......
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#11
06-03-2003, 07:34 AM
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Joe, WHAT PLAYFUL BANTER ? We are deadly serious.
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#12
06-03-2003, 10:12 AM
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The 1987 300D has an oil level light that comes on when the crankcase is only one quart below FULL. That's about halfway between FULL and ADD on the dipstick. At that point, if I happen to even reach it during the oil change cycle - I put in a quart.
Strange thing on the 1982 300D. It has a bad turbo drain grommet seal down into the oil pan. If I fill it all the way to FULL, it will slosh and leak out a quart, then stay there - half way between FULL and ADD. When I get that seal replaced, I'll go back to trying to keep it FULL. Ken300D plans to patent the following system: The Ken300D Automatic Oil Replenishment System for Luxury Automobiles, Like, Say, a 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D. Device consists of a five gallen container which resides in the trunk. Sensor monitors the oil level constantly. Pump replenishes crankcase oil from trunk reservoir as required. When one gallen remains in trunk reservoir, synthesized voice states "Warning! Drive Immediately to Nearest Ken300D Service Center" Service at Ken300D Service Center also required every 5,000 Miles or One Year or 12 Months or 365 Days, whichever comes first, in order to reset "Service Ken300D AORSLA NOW" light. Estimated Ken300D AORSLA Service - typical event - $500.00 USD.  Ken300D
__________________
-------------------------- 1982 300D at 351K miles 1984 300SD at 217K miles 1987 300D at 370K miles
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#13
06-03-2003, 11:30 AM
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Ken,
The '87 300D oil level light should be on a 60-second delay. The timer often fails after 10-15 years and the light starts coming on when it shouldn't, when turning left, or braking hard. The light is only supposed to come on when the level is at or below the "MIN" mark for 60+ seconds. The cure is to either disconnect the sensor, or replace the oil/fuel/temp gauge cluster which includes the timing circuit (not cheap). A flaky sender can also cause problems, synthetic oil helps keep the internals clean. Again, the top mark on the dipstick is not "FULL". It means "MAXIMUM". The optimum level is actually between the two marks - NOT the top or MAX mark. Some engines will burn off the extra quart quickly (drop from MAX to between marks) and then stay there, not burning off any more. Each engine is a little different. I let mine get to MIN before adding 1 quart.
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#14
06-03-2003, 11:36 AM
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I just don't trust ' senders' ... because you can't tell if they have gone bad... or if the light at the dash has burned out and they are still good.... sending the signal to a " not at home"... bulb..
Give my a dipstick.
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#15
06-03-2003, 11:41 AM
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The sender is not intended to be a replacement for the dipstick. It was intended to be a supplemental indicator, which is useful for your typical buyer of a new Mercedes back then - you know, people who never lift the hood of the car (that's what mechanics are for, right?) The idiot light would provide a visual indicator that a trip the the mechanic was required to add oil.
 It's relatively easy to test the sender (unless your car burns zero oil)... just let the level get down to the MIN mark and see if the light ever comes on! :p
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