Oh. I didn't know that part. That is kind of wierd to go from no usage to 1Qt/3K I suppose. How do you know it didn't use any before?

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

I did an oil & filter change at 036557 miles I did a check today at 037557 1013 miles and noticed 1/2 quart low. I checked my service when I did the oil & filter change I only put 6 quarts of oil in started the car and through the oil was between the marks. Is this correct 6.2 quarts M103 6 cylinder engine.
How much oil should I be concerned about loosing from ware & tare in traffic & city driving ? I made it a concern to change the oil and filter at 3000 miles is this correct?

Bob Geco

I think you are probably OK. Everyone I have ever talked to about oil consumption has his/her own theory. Most say 1 qt/3K is good. I, personally, find that a little low. I drive a 1992 500 SL with 163K on the clock. My indy gave me hell for putting 10K on the clock on non-synthetic oil. What can I say, I missed my oil change date by a bit! Oh, by the way, it was 3/4 of a quart low!!

I switched to synthetic, but he warned me. Synthetic in this old engine might be consumed a little quicker. Sure enough, he was right. I had to add a quart after only 5K!!!!

What? Me Worry?

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roadkingmike@aol.com
Coast Aero Support Services, LLC
'92 MB 500 SL
'01 BMW 525i Sport
'98 Harley Davidson RoadKing
'74 BMW 3.0 CSi - Gone to a good home

I got a reply to my query that I noticed a 1/2 quart low on oil in 1013 miles on my 300E M103 6 cylinder. I explained that I only put in 6 quarts from what I remember with new filter and thought I saw the oil was between the lines after running the engine before shutting it down.
Then today I checked the oil and found I was 1/2 quart low . After reading the post I learned the engine takes 6.2 quarts with filter change. Is this correct?

so prehaps after the engine oil settled on a good drive I was short 1/2 quart and did not know this. I received a reply that got me intrested in a statement that said synthetic oils are used up much quicker, I use redline. Can anyone substandiate that statement with some facts. I would think after 1013 miles if indeed I was correct on the fill level that 1/2 quart was lost somewear in my engine and that scares me . I only have 037750 miles on the car and it is well cared for.
I made a note in my service register to check the millage and oil level again in another 1000 miles. Oil still looked fresh no leaks from under carriage and motor.

Bob Geco

When making these measurements if you really want an accurate answer you must take some precautions. Ideally you must check the car when it is parked in the same exact spot and also has sat for the same amount of time. Parking spaces are rarely level. Paved surfaces are usually sloped for drainage. Any differences in slope will cause the level on the stick to change. Also, the level goes up as the oil drains after shutting off the car. And with the Mercedes dipsticks that have 2.2 qts between min and max it makes it harder to take exact measurements.

Mike

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Here's a look at an M112 cylinder wall that's been damaged by sticking oil rings. All six cylinders look pretty much the same. We replaced the engine block, pistons, and rings. The crankshaft and rods will be re-used, although all bearings will be replaced.

We're re-ringing another M112 as well. It had the same oil consumption as the engine pictured here, but the cylinder walls were fine.