Not to get too far off-topic, but crankcase ventilation issues are nothing new to MB. Finding more efficient ways to ensure adequate/complete ventilation at lower temperatures has always been a challenge. The M272/273 engines use a camshaft-driven centrifuge which seems to work very well. The recommended oil change interval is 13,000 miles for these engines, and so far so good. The new OM642 V-6 diesel engine has a heating element in the vent line to speed things up at low temperatures.


This is very common on M112 engines, for the reasons mentioned by several other members. I see it every day. IMHO, the crankcase ventilation system on this engine doesn't work quite as well as the M119 engine in your car. The good news is that it's easy to fix. Clean all the goop out of the filler cap assembly, and make sure the engine reaches normal operating temperature every time the car is driven. A couple of "in-between" oil changes won't hurt either.