What happens if you mix 6 qts of Mobil 1 with 1 quart of 20w-50?

I ran out and needed a quart so...........

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Enough about me, how are you doing?

That's no big deal, really. Just remember not to add anything until the level is at the "MIN" mark and then only add one quart. Also, with synthetics, you need to check the level in the morning, after the car has sat overnight. You'd be amazed at the difference in level after the car sits for 8+ hours!

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gsxr said:

"Also, with synthetics, you need to check the level in the morning, after the car has sat overnight. You'd be amazed at the difference in level after the car sits for 8+ hours!"

Surely thats not just a characteristic of synthetic oil.

Maybe you are right. Every drop of the synthetic runs back to the pan after 8+ hours. That way you get a good dry start.

I learn something everyday.

Thanks to all the suggestions I have received to eliminate the tapping.

I am happy to report that the annoying tap is no longer there as of this morning.

I changed the oil about 1000 miles ago with M1 15-50 and it appears to have done the job.

Come to think of it, I haven't heard it in a couple of days or so.

Thanks to all for your help.

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Nice to see a conclusion to a post. It's amazing how many I've followed where the thread starter does not come back in.

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Brian

1995 E300 Diesel 124T - 210k

Thanks.

I figure the least I could do to all of the members who gave their invaluable input is to let others see that we are not alone......... in our quest to keep these great machines keep running and running and running.

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Just thought I'd post a follow up on my post.

The IP was replaced recently due to my mechanics screwing up the old one upon removal to fix a leak.

It was replaced with a rebuilt unit and the engine purrs like a kitten. No tapping, nothing, just the familiar diesel sounds.

Have a great day.

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Hey Plantman:

How is it possible to screw up an IP by simply removing it to cure a leak and then reinstalling it? Is it that difficult?

Brian,

He somehow manged to crack the housing and had to replace it.

I think he was trying to adjust the timing with a hammer????

The point is, the car is running great. It is definitely close to mechanically perfect at this point.

Has 1 small oil leak which I think is the oil pan gasket and the cruise, other than that, she needs nothing.

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Enough about me, how are you doing?

"That way you get a good dry start."

LOLOLOLOL

I have had Rislone cure sticking hydraulic lifters in several American car engines over the years...
I think most of the Diesel guys suggest Seafoam for the same type cleaning of diesel engines....

Plantman,

For the SDL to be running "mechanically perfect" at 330K is quite an achievement. Mine has 106K (maybe?) and I still have quite a few issues to attend to!

I think part of what keeps me interested in it, is that it runs so well with so many miles.

Everyone that rides in it is amazed at the sturdy ride it provides with all that mileage.

Had it cruising today at 85 for about an hour. It didn't miss a beat.

I also think with the new ip and injectors that my mpg will increase.

I currently have driven 146 miles on a little over 1/4 tank. the best I've gotten in city driving is 400 miles to a full tank. Got 600 miles to a tank on hwy.

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Enough about me, how are you doing?

I hate to join late, but I have another solution to this problem, and no it's not oil. I tried that too.

It's the head gasket. When I changed mine, the tapping went away. On close inspection of the head gasket, I saw that some oil was leaking past the gasket around the oil gallery that feeds lifters for number 5 cylinder. This reduced oil pressure to those lifters and caused the intermittent tapping, especially before fully warm.

But I have an epilog that's not so rosy. 7 months later, that damn tapping came back a few days ago. Now it's even when fully warm, only at lower RPMs. So I have to consider replacing lifters or checking the head gasket again. I'm not certain that my dealer checked the head for trueness when they did the first gasket job.

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Thx/Reno
An American in France
88 300TD 5spd Sportline (lowered factory susp) - totalled by a flying deer
89 Range Rover V8 - the 4wd beast
02 Toyota minivan
05 Peugeot Partner 4x4 Dangel
88 International Harvestor 633SA
--Gone but not forgotten:
1970 250/8 C (sold to buy 450 SLC)
1972 450 SLC (sold after battling wiring harness problems too long)
1971 300 SEL 6.3 (sold after destroying two *very* expensive rear LS diffs)
1986 560 SEL (now my little brother's pride and joy)

Don't get too upset about the tapping. MB redesigned the lifter several times and never was able to eliminate it entirely. Using good synthetic oil seems to help a LOT but doesn't work in 100% of cases. If your lifters are original, you may have a couple that are bad - they DO fail, they don't last forever. There is a procedure in the OM602/603 factory engine manual on how to test them. On my car, at 230kmi, I had 5 that tested bad out of 12. But in most cases synthetics fix the noise. IMO, your gasket problem is the rare exception for the lifter noise...!