changing Mercedes oil is so much easier! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

E150GT · #1 09-23-2010, 11:51 PM

Tried changing my oil on the Mazda today for the first time. I've let the dealer do it for the first 30k and figured it was time. Yesterday I went to the store and bought 5 quarts of mobil 1 5w-20 and a filter. Today I went to my parents house after work all fired up to change my oil. My dad didn't want me to but I insisted it would be quick and clean so he let me. First thing, this car is low. Really low. Even after jacking it up there is very little room to maneuver down there. I positioned my oil catcher just right and started to undo the drain plug and it was gorrilla'd on there! Finally broke it loose and then all hell broke loose. The draining oil shot way further than I thought it could and I missed the pan sending nice hot oil all over the driveway. I quickly got the pan under the spout and got up to wipe the hot oil off my hand and try to clean up the mess. When I got back under the car I realized that the flow of oil had slowed down and now my pan was too far away so it was just pouring oil everywhere! I moved the pan and sopped up what I could but it was everywhere. I finally drained what little oil was left into the pan and I put te plug back in. Now it was rime for the filter. Both of the wrenches I had were too small to grip the filtyerso I monkeyed with it and was able to unscrew it by hand. That sent hot oil all over me again and on the ground as well. I was able to get the new one on with little trouble and thankfully I bought a k&n so I was able to use a socket to tighten it. I lowered the car and moved it back and spent the next 45 minutes scrubbing the driveway with every chemical I could find. It soes not come clean. The simplest job became a total nightmare!I ruined one towel and used a whole roll of paper towels cleaning up the mess and got my clothes soaked in oil. Needless to say I think I have been banned from changing my oil for a while. Anyway I thought I'd post this as a good laugh especially for people who have been through this too. What an evening!

Aquaticedge · #2 09-24-2010, 12:58 AM

may be time to get a vacuum extractor. still have to get under there to get the filter off though

t walgamuth · #3 09-24-2010, 06:25 AM

Nothing beats the benz 123 diesel for convenience of oil changing! I have done it in good clothes before.

pawoSD · #4 09-24-2010, 07:14 AM

Thats what you get for buying a mazda!

And, using way too small of an oil catch pan/tub.

I love the oil changes on my 300E and 300SD....easy! In fact, all of them are easy.

catmandoo62 · #5 09-24-2010, 08:43 AM

i think pretty much any german car is easy.my bmw 740,my vw jetta tdi and the 300 sdl all the oil filters are canister and are right up on top where you have easy access.i here you need to try a newer f-150 ford some time,you will either kill yourself or somebody else.i will never understand why they make it so hard to change the oil.

HuskyMan · #6 09-24-2010, 09:37 AM

next time get a very large oil drain pan and place the car up on sturdy car ramps so you can more easily access the drain plug. plus, if your drain pain isn't properly positioned it will be much easier to quickly move it.

this quick drain plug might be worth considering:

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

HuskyMan · #7 09-24-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catmandoo62

i think pretty much any german car is easy.my bmw 740,my vw jetta tdi and the 300 sdl all the oil filters are canister and are right up on top where you have easy access.i here you need to try a newer f-150 ford some time,you will either kill yourself or somebody else.i will never understand why they make it so hard to change the oil.

because domestic auto makers simply don't care about ease of use. also, oil filters near the ground are more easily damaged than a canister system. german cars forever!

Mike D · #8 09-24-2010, 09:51 AM

Quite obviously you guys have never done an oil change on a W115 240D.

Hatterasguy · #9 09-24-2010, 10:19 AM

On new cars its just not worth it, much simpler to pay to have it done.

I'm doing it myself on my Chevy but its a pita and really not worth it anymore, for another $10 I can have a shop do it and I'm probably going to from now on.

MBeige · #10 09-24-2010, 11:37 AM

On the W123 300D, W124 300TE and W201 190E 2.6 you don't even have to lift the car up. Slide the oil pan underneath (holds ~7 quarts, just right), undo the plug and let it drain out. The OM617 oil drain plug is further back compared to the M103's so I turn the steering wheel max to the left to gain better access when doing an oil change.

Gotta love these old MB's!

HuskyMan · #11 09-24-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

On the W123 300D, W124 300TE and W201 190E 2.6 you don't even have to lift the car up. Slide the oil pan underneath (holds ~7 quarts, just right), undo the plug and let it drain out. The OM617 oil drain plug is further back compared to the M103's so I turn the steering wheel max to the left to gain better access when doing an oil change.

Gotta love these old MB's!

reason # 6078 for owning a W123.

MBeige · #12 09-24-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

reason # 6078 for owning a W123.

There are 6,077 other reasons?

Do tell more

Rahulio1989300E · #13 09-24-2010, 04:38 PM

Yeah, M103 W124 are a cinch. no ramps or jack stands required at all, only tools you may need is a metal cap filter wrench, an extension and a ratchet for that oil filter...

BTW, don't ever try changing the oil on one of those M120 V12s... NIGHTMARE!

Honus · #14 09-24-2010, 04:43 PM

6,078 reasons sounds about right, but one reason stands out for me: the sound of an OM617, especially one that is well warmed up and that has a recent valve adjustment.

As for E150GT, I can definitely relate to your story. Sounds like trying to change the oil on my wife's 1998 Honda. Total PITA. The oil filter is right above the exhaust pipe, so you have to cover the exhaust pipe before unscrewing the filter, otherwise the car smells like burning oil.

pawoSD · #15 09-24-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

On new cars its just not worth it, much simpler to pay to have it done.

I'm doing it myself on my Chevy but its a pita and really not worth it anymore, for another $10 I can have a shop do it and I'm probably going to from now on.

Except that oil change shops are generally not staffed by the kind of people who I would want working on/touching my car.

Let alone trust them with replacing one of its most vital fluids!