Oil Change - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tabo · #1 10-04-2002, 10:43 AM

Gilly what sythentic oil do you use at your dealership? the dealership in my area uses 5W50 Synthentic.. they use to use 15W40 Synthentic, whats the difference? Also I'm thinking about changing my brake fluid and coolant myself can you give me some instructions? well i think i'll do the brake fluid first.... cuz my brakes aren't very sensitive... i know you have to bleed the RR first than RL, than FR, than FL, in that order.. is there a special tool needed? or is it same as any other car.. the calipers have a 10mm bolt and u use DOT 5 brake fluid from mercedes? just press the brake pedal to squeeze out the fluid and add to the master cylinder.. Anyone done it before? any tips?

Gilly · #2 10-04-2002, 10:58 AM

We use the Mobil1 0W40 as instructed by Mercedes.
The difference between the 5W50 and 15w40 is the recommended temp range the oil is rated at, to be non-technical. Look at the recommended oil viscosity chart in either your owners manual or the recommended fluid pamphlet you should have in your owners packet. I guess there is a couple different oil viscosity and brands that dealers may use, but Mobil1 0W40 is "#1" on the list, it's what MB really wants us to use.
On the brake fluid, use the stuff MB sells, it's DOT4+.
To do the brake flush manually, without some sort of a bleeder tool it's a 2 person job. You'll also want to drain the reservoir prior to filling with fresh fluid.

Gilly

tabo · #3 10-04-2002, 11:18 AM

talk about fast response.. I messaged u 10 mins ago =P thanks for the tips.. You know its funny how the service advisor lied to me.. he said "you can't just do a brakefluid change yourself.. you have to use a high pressurized machine to do it blah blah blah.. really? I did brake fluid changes on other cars.. I knew he was lying! have u done it without that machine?

Gilly · #4 10-04-2002, 04:47 PM

I've never done a fluid change without the bleeder, you tie up 2 techs, and we will just do other work on the vehicle until the bleeder is available if it's being used by someone else. Larger shops I'm sure have a few of these. The one we use is also the pressurized version. It keeps the reservoir topped off, which is a nice feature. But I've certainly done my share of manual bleeding of brakes before, like if you've replaced a hydraulic part. In short, there's no reason why you couldn't replace the brake fluid via the manual method, it's just alot easier using a bleeding tool.

I'm on vacation this week, so the answers were unusually fast this morning. Then the "honey-do" list kicked in (wife's on vacation too, we took a small anniversary trip), so I was busy doing that sort of stuff.

Gilly

suginami · #5 10-04-2002, 04:54 PM

I've used the "two person" method before on flushing brake fluid.

Your buddy pours clean fluid into the reservior, while you're at each wheel draining the old fluid into a jug.

Keep going until the fluid comes out clear, then go to the next wheel.

Slow, but it works.

Gilly · #6 10-04-2002, 04:57 PM

That would work OK. The only word of caution is to make sure that the pedal is being pressed down when the bleeder screw is being closed. If not, you could get air inside that caliper and have a spongey brake pedal.

Gilly
ps and it will be alot faster to get it cleaned out if you empty the reservoir and fill it with clean fluid to begin with. I usually end up removing the reservoir to dump it out, trying to evacuate it with a sucker of some type is rather ineffective.

suginami · #7 10-04-2002, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gillybenztech
That would work OK. The only word of caution is to make sure that the pedal is being pressed down when the bleeder screw is being closed. If not, you could get air inside that caliper and have a spongey brake pedal.

Gilly

I forgot to mention that you need to use a 2 X 4 in this method, that you jam in from the seat bottom to the brake pedal.

You cut the 2 X 4 to size.

Kuan · #8 10-04-2002, 07:29 PM

Don Swinford made a brake bleeder, anyone have his instructions?

Kuan

G-Man · #9 10-04-2002, 08:58 PM

Just splurge for the pressure bleeder.Power-Motivemakes one that is about $50. You fill the tank up with new fluid, scew the cap on, pump it up by hand an away you go. With this type, one person can bleed the whole system in under an hour. It is an extremely handy tool to have, I highly reccomend it.

I bought mine from from http://www.*****************.com They are great, I get a lot of P-car stuff from them. Select "products" from the menu, then select "brake"under any of the car models. The "Motive" power bleeder will be pictured. $44.95, I'm tellin ya, its a steal

#10 10-09-2002, 06:13 PM

I use a product called speed bleeders. They are sold at the local auto supply for about $12 for 2. They look like regular bleeders but they have a ball check and spring in them. They let fluid out but not air in.

One man, after installing, loosen the speed bleeder put a hose on to a receptical. Make sure the brake resivoir is full and press twice on the brakes. Check the fluid in the hose and in the resivoir and do again until it comes out clean. Tighten then move to the next

stephenson · #11 10-09-2002, 06:39 PM

RandyR,

That is way cool ... have never heard of these! You have made my day! Do you know who makes them?

Anyone else used these?

Any negative side effects?

Seems like an elegant solution!

#12 10-10-2002, 08:19 AM

Dear George,

I had origionally hear of these in our vintage BMW motorcycle group. I found them in the part of the autoparts store that sells parts in bright red packs marked HELP. I think most larger non speciality stores carry this line. among the HELP parts you will find such easily lost or broken parts as, air cleaner nuts for Chysler cars, window handles for Chevys, oil filler caps. I would expect they would have a web site. If you can't find them let me know at roeges@sprintmail.com and I'll work something out.

stephenson · #13 10-10-2002, 10:26 AM

Thanks, Randy. I'll do some looking around for them.

tabo · #14 10-10-2002, 10:34 AM

Yes.. there are really cool, you can find them here
http://www.speedbleeder.com/
but there are many sizes.. and different kind of shapes.. I believe it is model SP8125LL ???? let us know how it works out and which model fits the ml! this will make changing brake fluid once every two years a snap! but its not cheap... ml320 uses dot 4 right?

stephenson · #15 10-10-2002, 10:37 AM

Anyone know what sizes are relevant for MB applications?

I have 126 ... is MB standardized across number of platforms?