What's the lowest oil level that you can have in the W123 turbo diesels and still be safe? I've heard that in some cars you can get away with only half of the capacity and not burn up the engine. With W123's, you've got about a gallon of oil in the engine so I was wondering how low can you go?
I've tried a search on this subject but too much else comes up in the search.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Well, as long as there is oil pressure, the bearings won't fry instantly, but the less oil there is, the faster it degrades. Unless you are in an emergency (where someone will die in the next five minutes), keep the oil up to the minumum mark on the dipstick.

On my 220D, this means checking the oil daily, more often if I drive it a lot on any given day, it's a real oil pig.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!