1999 Ml320 oil change - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WienerWater · #1 08-14-2004, 09:27 PM

This may sound generally stupid, but need to ask. I have owned MANY cars over the years, lots of imports etc, and this is my first experience with Mercedes.
I bought a 1999 ML320, and with all the reading I have done, I have seen many posts about using a syphon/suction pump to remove the engine oil. Is this just on certain models, or a way to do it without going under the vehicle? I see on my ML320, a normal looking drain plug and copper washer on the pan, is it normal procedure to just drain through that plug/hole, nothing unordinarily different, or am I missing something here? I have tried to find a basic Haynes/Chilton repair manual for this model, but nothing yet.I have a subscription to Alldata.com, and is very helpful. Any feedback appreciated.

Gilly · #2 08-14-2004, 09:32 PM

Better off with a suction unit on an ML especially. The oil just goes all over heck on these things; motor mounts, subframe mounts etc/whatever, really a mess and MB cautions against it.

Gilly

WienerWater · #3 08-14-2004, 10:00 PM

I see some people using the new Fram SureDrain system. If installed, should be nothing abnormal, just change the oil through this, install new washer and drain plug, correct?
My main concern was using this drain plug method posed nothing unusual, just a normal oil change. I have a nice shop, all the tools etc, just needed the basic yes and no. Thanks for your input, and will have a look at what you refer to, in regards to the mounts, frame etc.

Q · #4 08-14-2004, 10:04 PM

I bought the Mitivac super sucker (don't remeber the actual name) for like $56 and it is AWESOME. I wish the damn dipstick on my Buick would let the hose from the oil vac go all the way down like the ML's and the 380SE's does. So much nicer not having to drain the oil all over your hands.

stevebfl · #5 08-14-2004, 10:07 PM

I watched one of our techs change the oil in my wifes ML some years ago. It looked like it would have to be a real mess and then he brought out a anti-freeze 1 gal jug cut top to bottom at a 45 deg angle. He wedged it into the suspension about 4-6inches from the drain and it caught everything and turned it straight down through the jug mouth like a funnel into the oil drain.

Simple, clean, ought to be a special tool.

grapes11 · #6 08-14-2004, 10:09 PM

This is the best way to change your oil provided by this forum http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/OilFilter2

Gilly · #7 08-15-2004, 05:05 AM

The gallon jug trick works OK, except if you're a DIYer, you have to store this cut-up, oily jug until the next change, not that bad in a shop, but at home it's a pita.
The sure-drain system is nice because you can attach a hose to it before you open it and avoid the mess that way, the hose wouldn't be that bad to store between oil changes, imho.

Gilly