Oil, Again
 

Greetings all. Well I did it, I ran Mobil1 5w-30 (syn) to 9300mi over service B recommendation (fss), and 14mo since last oil & filter. Needless to say, sludge and clickady clack. Since my car is not in warranty, I seen no need to do the $300+ "stealership" service. My ?, does the "mesh" netting of the OEM oil filter provide any significance to the filtering capabilities? and also I decided to use Castrol 10w-40 (Beaverton Oregon resident) any issues?

OF course the "fleece" filter has a better media & is reinforced for the EXTRA duty to go the longer distance. I would NEVER run any of MY engines more that 8K miles even on synthetic OIL!

That 10W-40 is a bit on the thick side for the winter...no lubrication properties at or below 0F.

That "stealership" service you are referring to is "required" maintenance, otherwise known as "preventative maintenance" which prevents things like say, clickety clack noises and sludge in the oil.

They are important because not only do they replace engine air and cabin filters along with the engine oil and filter, but it also gives the technician an opportunity to find things that may be presenting themselves such as oil leaks, or worn or even missing parts.

Sounds like you are learning the hard way.

Mercedes are very high maintenance vehicles, and yes can cost some money from time to time, but preventative maintenance is key to keeping money "in" your wallet in the long run.

I swear, mercedes need to put big stickers in their cars on the visor that says "If you can't afford to service your Mercedes, don't even think about buying one."

Not trying to be a jerk, I just hear this stuff from cheap customers all the time that ***** and moan about service costs, then end up doing major damage to their car by neglect and end up crying like little kindergarten babies when something breaks.

I don't think you will get too much sympathy about your situation.

There is no 5W-30 Mobil 1 approved by Mercedes.

You should be using 0W-40.

The statement 10W-40 is "too thick for winter use" is baloney as regards Mobil 1, as when one checks Mobil data regarding cold poor points all versions of Mobil 1 save for 15W-50 show the same number. Nevertheless there is no Mobil 1 10W-40 approved by Mercedes either. As for Castrol it's not a synthetic despite its labeling and isn't approved by Mercedes either.

Kent you need to read his post a little closer...the 10W-40 was regular Castrol..& at 0degF will not flow!

Yes it will,albeit slowly though:cool:.

MB specs a bunch of oils, the sheet is around here somewhere. But Mobil 1 0w40 is one and its easy to get.

1st Benz - you don't want to end up in my shoes (read my M113 post about oil consumption and sludge). I would change the oil more often, especially in a high performance V8.

My $0.02 is that the FSS intervals are too long, even with synthetic. Also depends how you drive - city (stop and go) or highway cruising commuting.

You have an E55? I'd put in nothing but the best, a true Group IV (PAO) synthetic. Make sure the oil bottle specifies MB 229.3 or better, 229.51. Mobil 1 0W40, Elf Solaris, Castrol Syntec 0W30 (has to be the German Castrol, dubbed 'GC', read back of bottle should say 'Made in Germany').

I would also recommend doing an interim oil change in between FSS service intervals.

Use the fleece filter.

Good luck with the sludge. My lifters are noisy as well.

Kent, there is a new Castrol out, it's Syntec 0W30 and it is made in Germany. Meets 229.5, BMW Longlife 01, etc. It's a Group IV synthetic. Not sure how it is labelled in the States, but I think it says "European Formula" or something.

It's been dubbed 'GC' but the Internet community. Big bonus of this oil is that it goes on sale from time to time - at least here in Canada it does - and it can be had cheap, $5.99/L.

http://andy.hedin.googlepages.com/GC_M06152_Rear.jpg

Here you go:
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

Now bookmark it !!!!!!!:D

I rather just have you guys post it for me, I'm so lazy.:D

1st If you are a jerk then that’s your claim.
2nd Paying high labor unnecessarily doesn't indicate $$ in the bank nor does the desire to not pay it, indicate $0.00 in the bank
3rd So far the maint. cost in my benz has been less then my 98 540i(bmw)which recommends service 1($395-495) service 2 ($495 -650)
4th Not looking for sympathy just drivers who dare to push pass the "recommendations", their experiences and results.

this was a personal live test of Mobil 1, (recommended and was installed by the "stealer ship" during service A) against other oils. I ran amsoil exclusively in the 540i(18 -22k mi.'s between oil changes) and no sludge, loss of power, or clacking. Yes i know its a totally different machine but some will see my point. I chose castrol because after looking at Amsoil comparison charts again, I notice they are comparing GTX(Castrol) and not syntec(castrol) And in their own test GTX wasn't too far behind. So I figured I'd buy syntec and save $2.15per qt. vs Amsoil and get excellent results. I want to know what works for me, my driving style and climate

You didn't follow the Mercedes oil type or the service interval recommendation.

Why not just drive the car until it stops, then buy another one?

Sorry, correct me if I read it wrong, but your post came off as: Hey, I ran my car way over the service recommended limit, almost twice as long as recommended and I even used non recommended oil, (and possibly a suggestion of using a cheap filter), now I want to know if I can use a cheap filter, and I don't want to pay for a recommended service, but my oil is sludgy and my car is making a racket noise, and now I want to use Castrol 10W40.
How do I get out of this without spending money or using recommended parts and lubricants?

Now you are saying the dealer serviced your car and used mobil! 5W30, but at first, you came off as saying you saw no need to get the recommended "stealeship" service.
It's just not adding up.

(Independents) won't do a B- service under $300+.
it just sounded like you want to run the tar out of your car and don't want to put any money into it for suggested service, that's all.
A service B- is much more than just an oil change, and mass airflow sensors are not cheap when they get trashed from dirty air filters.
The service intervals give the tech a chance not only to replace maintenance items, but also gives them a chance to find and correct problems that may be showing themselves to keep you from having major repairs in the future if left unnoticed that's all.

If I read it wrong, sorry, just trying to give a little constructive criticism from someone who see's this every day, and has to educate customers on a daily basis that still don't listen and think all you want to do is take their money.

You may not be one of them, but one of them may be lurking around, but you did post your question to get educated by other drivers and to get their opinions.
What better than to get opinions from the experts who work on them every day and can give you the best possible recommendations other than hearing opinions from sooth sayers that run marvel mystery oil in their cars?

Reminds me a bit of my father-inlaw.
He used to run dino oil in his car for 10 k miles, drain it & use it in his farm tractor, because it still " looked good ", ..........until he blew it up. :mad: