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.