why would she start using oil????

[johnny1423]

Hello
I have a 2000 e320 with only 47k miles...
Bought the car with 40k..changed the oil myself with mobil 0-40 at 44k
Just noticed today that it was quart low....
Any suggestion or ideas
Thanks!!!!!!

[david s poole]

did you start car after oil change then stop and check again?sounds like you may have missed the quart it takes to fill oil filter.

[johnny1423]

yea..since it was my first time...i filled, drove,checked, and checked again several days in a row afterwards...

[Moneypit SEL]

A quart in 3k miles isn't excessive.

[johnny1423]

really????
I find that kind of usage "normal" on a newer car with less than 50K hard to believe.
Any other ideas????

[lee polowczuk]

if you were a quart low at 4k...i wouldn't worry....

maybe you need to clarify your post.... if you changed oil and were a quart low after a few hundred miles... i would bet you didn't allow for the filter...

it seems ours with a filter takes slightly more than 6.5 quarts. we probably slightly underfill.

that's on a 103 engine..

[manny]

Originally Posted by johnny1423

really????
I find that kind of usage "normal" on a newer car with less than 50K hard to believe.

Some years ago I purchased a new 5.0 Mustang.
Used 1 quart of oil every 6 - 700 miles.
Ford said that was okay, because of the Low Tension piston rings used in that engine.
2 years later they had a recall, to replace all the catalytic converters that were getting contaminated from the excessive oil.

[ILUVMILS]

Assuming there aren't any external leaks, and the crankcase ventilation system is working properly, the oil rings may be to blame. This isn't uncommon, in fact, I have two re-ring jobs in the shop right now. The good news is that MB may be willing to help out, but the amount of oil usage must be documented by an authorized dealer. The process is very simple. The dealer will do an oil and filter change and probably reset FSS. They'll ask you to drive at least 600 miles, probably more, and then bring the car back to them. If you need to add oil in the meantime, go ahead. You don't even need to remember how much you add. The car will recognize the replenishment and store the information. Just make sure you're using the same oil as the dealer. When you return to the dealer they'll be able to record information about the engines oil consumption using SDS. They can then calculate if the oil consumption is within specification or not. According to MB, approximately one quart per thousand miles is acceptable.

[deanyel]

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

This isn't uncommon, in fact, I have two re-ring jobs in the shop right now.

Both 112 motors? What motors are you seeing the problem on?

[ILUVMILS]

Originally Posted by johnny1423

really????
I find that kind of usage "normal" on a newer car with less than 50K hard to believe.

I find it hard to believe too, but MB won't warranty ANY oil consumption related repairs if the documentation doesn't support a consumption rate of at least one quart per thousand miles.

Originally Posted by deanyel

Both 112 motors? What motors are you seeing the problem on?

The two that are here now are both 112's, but I see 113's do the same thing.

[Bob G]

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

[Bob G]

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

[mpolli]

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

[ILUVMILS]

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.