Hello folks. I'm having a little problem extracting most of the oil out of my newly acquired '86 300SDL via dipstick. I'm using a Topsider that I've had no problems using on my other car, an '85 300D. The Topsider's got vacuum and works as it should. I'm only getting roughly 6 liters out of the SDL. I have both the oil filter and oil filler caps unseated. The car, warmed to operating temps, is parked on a slight slope with nose downwards. I'm wondering if either the oil pan's construction or the dipstick tube is preventing the Topsider from doing a better job. Any help is appreciated.

I bit the bullet and bought a Portaquick 12V oil change pump from West Marine. I put the back of the car up onto small ramps, ran the engine for about 5mins, let the car sit for 10-15mins, then I let the Portaquick suck away. It does a nice quick job and this time I believe I got most, if not all, of the old oil outta the pan. I took the car off the ramps and onto level ground. I put 7.6 liters (two of the gallon Delo 400 bottles) into the car and checked the stick. I was surprised to see it registered maximum. The owner's manual calls for 8 liters with oil filter change, which was done. Comments or suggestions?

I think MB changed the oil capacity on these in the early 90's to 7.5 quarts. However I just changed my oil last week and added 8 quarts and it was only 1/3 the way up the dipstick.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Tony:

About 0.5 - 1 quart of old dirty oil always stays in the oil cooler and its connecting lines. Therefore, You can never remove all the old oil unless you have too much time to burn by draining the oil cooler/lines (big trouble if you mess it up).

Eric

Thanks Eric. I didn't think of that, and the manual stating 8 liters w/filter change threw me off. Guess I'm good to go.

If I was using a topsider, I would probably put the car dead level. i figure that is how MB intended the mechanics to have the car when they did oil changes.