240D Oil consumption

[apache]

Hi everyone,

First, thanks to all that provide this BB - it is a great board and is of much value to many.

I've recently acquired an '82 240D with about 60000 miles on it. The car hasn't been driven much but it does have a problem that concerns me. It is burning/leaking about 1qt per 400 miles and I can't figure out whether it is leaking it or burning it. There is an oil leak evident by a small oil stain on the ground when the car is parked. I haven't had the chance to get under the car for a close look to see where it is coming from. Also, the disturbing part, I removed the oil filler cap while the engine was running the other day and was shocked when the engine compartment was immediately decorated with fresh oil from the spray. I looked in the air cleaner and it is a bit oily around the inside base. I haven't had the chance to do a compression check, but the car starts just fine until it gets down below freezing and then it still isn't that bad.

Here's the question. Is this normal or is this engine starting to get tired for some reason? It seems to me that the crankcase blow by was more than other gas engines that I've had in the past, but I really don't know for sure. And if the blow by is excessive, is there any way to tell if it is worn rings or a top end problem? I don't want to overhaul if I don't have to, but if it is a top end problem, that doesn't scare me too badly. Thanks, Jim

apache,

This is a VERY young engine at 60,000 miles. However, do you have any idea how it was driven and maintained. I believe that the only way that an engine of this mileage could be shot, is if that mileage was one five miles at a time without timely oil changes.

I really expect that if you start flushing the engine, you will revive this oil sucker into a gem.

Start by determining if the leak is very serious. I doubt that it is from your description, but you should locate it and fix it. I'm at a loss to help with any suggestions, because in my well over half million milese of 240D's, I can't ever remember an oil leak except when the rear main finally started leaking like a sieve at 380,000 miles.

Get this darlin' at operating temperature, which is about 17 miles of driving, maybe more in the winter, then pull the drain plug and oil filter and let it drain overnight. Replace the filter and drain plug, and fill it with oil from the truck stop. Chevron Delo 400 multigrade, Shell Rotella T, or the like. The oil designed for specifically for diesel engines (the universal grade they call it) has more detergents and soot dispersants which will do a better job cleaning up this sludgy engine. Repeat this procedure often until this engine is "degunked".

If you want to give this process a jump start, get some engine flush from the auto supply and follow the directions.

I expect that by doing the flush, followed by some frequent, hot, overnight oil changes with the right oil, you can turn this low mileage car into a gem.

Best of luck and keep us posted,

------------------
Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

[apache]

Thanks for the info Larry.

I'll get started on your suggestion right away. I've been using Rotella since I've had it and the former owners were using Castrol straight 30 Heavy Duty. I don't know whether the Castrol was a suitable oil to use or not. Thanks for the info and I will keep you posted. Jim