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  #1  
Old 01-05-2006, 06:37 PM
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oil capacity conundrum

I have a 1991 300e with the m103 engine. The capcity for the engine is 6.9 quarts, that should be about 1.7 gallons. I recently purchased this car and changed the oil last weekend.

After draining the oil and replacing the filter, I poured into the engine about 6.5 quarts of oil on level ground. The dipstick was over the max mark. How is it possible that even when putting in less than the amount of oil specified the dipstick reads beyond full? For kicks I measured the oil that was drained out, this was about 5.0 quarts, the oil was allowed to drain for 1/2 hour until nothing came out. Prior to draining the oil, on level ground the dipstick read near the mininum line on the dipstick, I had the oil level light come on the the night before the oil change going downhill.

I read somewhere on the service CD that there was a bulletin regarding dip stick tubes being too short and replacing one with the correct length. The oil has no bubbles on the dipstick so the crank isn't beating it into foam. Has this car been running 1.5 quarts less all this time? I have never had this problem with any other car, usually the dipstick is correct... Any help would be appreciated.

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Old 01-05-2006, 07:02 PM
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Amount that drains out means nothing, so disregard. Could be low as a result of leak or burning. You yourself said the oil light came on - that means you are about 1 quart low. The 1 quart is not an absolute number however, just an approximation.

Did you start the car up before checking the oil level? All those oil passages, not to mention the filter, have to fill up and that will drop the oil level on the dipstick. I have the exact same car. It takes just over 6.5 quarts. Put that in and don't worry any further about it, unless your oil light comes on again. In which case just add another quart and drive it.
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Old 01-05-2006, 07:14 PM
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Where did you find that capacity spec? My owner's manual says 6.3 quarts (6.0L)with filter, which is about right, and I jack up the RR of the car to angle the drain opening to the LF so as much as possible drains.

Did you start the engine, warm up the oil and then check on a level surface? You have to start the engine to fill the filter.

According to my owner's manual the max and min marks on the dipstick amount to 2.1 quarts (2.1L). What does yours say?

Duke
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Old 01-05-2006, 07:17 PM
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Thanks for the help.

After filling the car and starting and driving for this work week, the oil level is unchanged from when I first changed the oil, I am using this initial batch for only 1500 miles as a flush, the oil that was drained was very, very dirty, and looked really thing like 10w30. I will likely change over to 10w40 or 15w50 for Los Angeles summers and stop and go traffic.
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  #5  
Old 01-05-2006, 07:36 PM
carson356
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when servicing my own 300SE i always add 7.0 quarts with every oil and filter change
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Old 01-05-2006, 07:48 PM
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Ray,

So what level is your dipstick at if you fill to 7.0 quarts of oil? Does it extend beyond the max mark?
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Old 01-05-2006, 08:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KellyC
Ray,

So what level is your dipstick at if you fill to 7.0 quarts of oil? Does it extend beyond the max mark?

The difference is 3.2 ounces; probably can't see a difference on the dipstick.
regards,
Mark
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  #8  
Old 01-05-2006, 08:35 PM
carson356
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kramlavud
The difference is 3.2 ounces; probably can't see a difference on the dipstick.
regards,
Mark
it is right where it should be,
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  #9  
Old 03-01-2008, 08:32 PM
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Wow, this thread helped me! I was afraid I had put too much oil in my M103, but 7 quarts got it to the full mark...Thanks!
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Old 03-02-2008, 11:12 AM
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I had a similar conundrum yesterday..

my oil level had read as full... this oil only had 1200 miles on it, but it had 4 months.

i drained the oil close to five quarts. I was jack up a bit on the drivers side front...so i know all of it didn't come out. Also I left the filter on.

Anyway... i put 5 quarts back in..and it read a quart low? so i put another quart in and it is just above the full line.

i always change the filter out... but I don't have one coming in until tomorrow... will probably exchange then...

anyway... after doing valve stem seals, and the oil level sender o ring.. i decided to put full synthetic in the 260e. It was two for one at the auto parts store.

this car is headed to some warmer weather, and maybe some stop and go driving... so i put 20w-50 in...

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