Oil Usage from '04 C320 4matic - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TIFOSI · #1 12-06-2007, 02:05 PM

A friend has a new to him '04 C320 4matic with 47000 on it and since his purchase he has added 5 quarts of oil in only 4000 miles, each time the computer has prompted with a 1 quart low oil level status. The dealer and MB-USA each say that oil usage of 1 quart every 650 miles is "normal". Has anyone else experienced this as well. He is naturally concerned about long term oil usage and engine problems. Also does anyone know the exact part # or where to get a C320 dipstick for manual level checking? Thanks

beevly · #2 12-06-2007, 02:59 PM

Doesn't sound normal to me, but if both MBUSA & the dealer say so... I have the same M112 engine in my 02 E320 with, coincidentally, nearly the same exact miles. I don't really see any oil usage at all, always right between the min and max lines on the dipstick (mine came with one, you can still buy one for the newer ones though). I change oil about every 5K, Mobil1 0W-40 per owner's manual. The manual also mentions higher oil consumption with sustained high engine speed - any correlation with that and Montana highways? It still sounds pretty high to me.

uberwgn · #3 12-06-2007, 03:01 PM

While MBUSA might say that level of consumption is normal, it ain't. There's a TSB floating around somewhere that addresses this high consumption. I don't recall the exact issue but I don't believe it's a big deal to correct. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

FWIW, our E320 doesn't consume a drop of oil between change intervals (11k miles).

Zeus · #4 12-06-2007, 09:15 PM

TIFOSI - Read my M113 engine thread. My 1998 E430 has been using oil, likely due to the extended service intervals suggested by Mercedes. My car went 17,000 Km between changes on mineral oil until around 80,000 Km, when it switched to synthetic. This PER THE DEALER.

So now I'm using anywhere between 1L/600 Km (highway) and 1L/1000-1500Km (city).

Diagnosis thus far could be valve guide wear and/or engine sludge.

If you search around as I have, you'll find similar problems with owners of not just Mercedes, but Audi, VW, Toyota even, etc. all related to long oil change intervals.

It's like the 'lifetime' transmission fill Mercedes specified at one point.

Both are utter BS if you ask me.

As far as your friend's oil consumption, it could be many things, you need to do some initial research - is the oil leaking or being consumed/burnt?

Look for leaks on dry garage floor overnight after driving. Check engine with flashlight for signs of external leaks. If not, check for any blue smoke at startup, or under certain driving conditions. You may not see any as the cats can soak it up to a certain extent.

Good luck, you may need it.

ILUVMILS · #5 12-06-2007, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIFOSI

.....The dealer and MB-USA each say that oil usage of 1 quart every 650 miles is "normal".

I don't exactly agree with MB's definition of "normal", but they will fix the problem, provided you play by their rules. Most importantly, you'll need to prove that the service schedule was followed, or at least that the oil and filter changes were done on time. In your case, it shouldn't be a problem, since regular maintenance was/is covered for the duration of the warranty period. A simple VMI will show the mileage and date of when these services were performed. As long as the previous owner paid attention the service reminder, you're half-way there.

You may not have a relationship with your local MB dealer, but you need to start one now. The first step is to begin an oil consumption test. This involves your dealer performing an oil and filter change, re-setting the FSS counter, and recording some data from your cars' "memory". After this is done, simply drive your car as you normally would, adding oil when necessary. These oil replenishments are recorded in memory, along with mileage information. When the consumption rate meets MB's criteria for excessive usage, the dealer can go to bat for you.

In most cases, they'll fix the problem at no cost to you, given the mileage on your car. Good luck, and let us know what happens.

TIFOSI · #6 12-07-2007, 09:14 PM

Thanks for the info and that is what MB USA and the dealer has basically said to my friend, unfortunately the MB dealer is 335 miles away and makes the interaction difficult, but not imposible. The warranty is up in only a month or so but he did purchase an non MB extended warranty through the Volvo dealer he purchased the car from so maybe there is some relief there. Just seems odd as the car runs well and there is no sign of a leak or burning (smoke, etc) he's working on getting a dipstick for manual checking just to confirm that there really is a low oil issue and not just a sensor issue. Are just wondering if there is a known oil comsumption issue with the 3.2 engine...??? My C32 AMG does not have the same issue, and while the engines are similar they are actually different engines in many ways. Thanks Again.

Johnhef · #7 12-07-2007, 09:53 PM

While not uncommon for the 112 engine in other models, the oil consumption was typically limited to earlier production ML's.

deanyel · #8 12-07-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

While not uncommon for the 112 engine in other models, the oil consumption was typically limited to earlier production ML's.

You've contradicted yourself. I think you got it right in the first half - it is quite common in 112 motors whatever the model, and for 113 motors as well.

ILUVMILS · #9 12-08-2007, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIFOSI

Thanks for the info and that is what MB USA and the dealer has basically said to my friend, unfortunately the MB dealer is 335 miles away and makes the interaction difficult, but not imposible. The warranty is up in only a month or so but he did purchase an non MB extended warranty through the Volvo dealer he purchased the car from so maybe there is some relief there. Just seems odd as the car runs well and there is no sign of a leak or burning (smoke, etc) he's working on getting a dipstick for manual checking just to confirm that there really is a low oil issue and not just a sensor issue.

Wow, the nearest dealer is 335 miles away? In Northern/Central New Jersey there's six MB dealers within an easy drive of each other. Montana sounds like my kind of place, if I ever "want to get away from it all".

Either way it, doesn't really matter. The consumption test will probably require a few thousand miles of driving, so it's not like your friend will have to visit the dealer too often. Like I said, have the dealer begin the consumption test and let the process play itself out.

As far as getting a dipstick, I wouldn't make it a top priority. As long as the data retrieved from the cars' memory proves that there is excessive oil consumption, the dipstick readings won't matter. As far as MB is concerned, the oil-usage data is all that matters. If your friend does get a dipstick though, tell him not to add small quantities of oil during the consumption test. If the oil is "topped-off", it may not be recognized by the data memory. In other words, only add oil when prompted by the instrument cluster display. Let us know how it works out.