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#1
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Oil use
About six months ago I had the valve seals on my 86 560 SL replaced due to excessive oil consumption. Today and a thousand miles later I checked the oil and I was down a quart. Is this normal use? The car has 124,000 miles on it. What type of oil is best to use?
Thanks for your help.... Larry |
#2
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No, this is not normal consumption. When you say valve seals, I'm assuming that you mean the valve stem seals. On a car of that age and mileage, I would consider the valve stem seals the primary culprit. Since you've had your's replaced, I would then check the rear main seal, head gaskets, and valve cover seals.
I don't know what type of oil is "best" to use. I use Pennzoil 5W30.
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Mike Heath 1988 560SL Black/Palomino 1988 300SEL Black Pearl/Burgandy 1984 500SEC Anthracite Grey/Palomino |
#3
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Oil use
Mike,
I just came back from the mechanic who put in the valve stem seals in October 1500 miles ago. He pulled the plugs to check for fouling. He said the #8 plug was fouled due to what he thinks is a bad transmission modulator that is not working. He said the trans fluid was being sucked up and fouling this plug. He also said to use a quart of oil in 1500 miles is reasonable. If after the repair I am to watch for consumption and plug fouling. If it still happens he's telling me I probably need the heads rebuilt at a cost of $5000 ( I won't do it , I'll sell the car at that point). I'm getting a little disgusted and the money barrel is starting to dry up. Larry '86 560 Sl |
#4
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I had my valve stem seals replaced in September, at roughly 97k miles. I'm now at 103.5k miles and until last month, hadn't consumed a drop of oil. Now, my rear main seal is leaking. I'm debating on whether I should wait until my transmission goes out.
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Mike Heath 1988 560SL Black/Palomino 1988 300SEL Black Pearl/Burgandy 1984 500SEC Anthracite Grey/Palomino |
#5
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1 quart of oil in 1500 miles is nothing to worry about...
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Hud 88 560SL 97 E320 |
#6
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Oil consumption of 1 quart per 1,000 miles is considered to be within original factory specs by all car manufacturers.
I know it sounds crazy, but it's true.
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Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron". |
#7
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Why does that sound crazy? That's not a lot of oil. Sure, most modern cars use a bit less, but it's still nothing to get excited about. I can't imagine spending $500, much less $5k, to fix it, nor would I get rid of a car that was otherwise pleasing me over such a small matter. Would you run Elle McPherson off if you found out that she's tone deaf and can't carry a tune?
Travis |
#8
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No, I wouldn't run off Elle McPherson even if she was color-blind, dyed her hair red, and wore Birkenstock sandals.
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Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron". |
#9
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Oil Use
Well I panicked... I spoke too soon about the fate of my 560Sl.Well it seems the mechanic found that I had a faulty transmission modulator that was sucking oil into the engine and causing the engine to smoke on first start up. It was also 1500 miles and I used a quart of oil. Not bad according to the mechanic. So, I guess I'll still be holding onto it.
Larry '86 560 sl |
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