Oil change
 

Hi, i am about to change oil on my 86 300 e benz once this week, for the first time by myself, so i would like to ask how many qts of oil go in the oil tank, so that i know when i am buying new oil. Car has 200k+ miles, still runs good. What brand of oil or what type of oil do you recommend for my car. I think i had Havoline 10w30 on my last oil change. I am not considering any syntetic oil because i dont want no oil leaks( heard about that problem many times) even though it may work very good.
I figured out that i need oil change, also a yelow light for oil came up while driving on the interstate last night. Last time it happened i changed oil and it was ok after that(until now). Why the light is coming on when there is still enought oil( halfway between l and f mark). Truth is I didnt change oil since january mostly because i didnt even drive the car so much. have two cars
thanx, Alex

forgot to add something
 

Forgot to add that the oil pressure gaige works normal and it goes up to 3 mark when driving and no lower then 1.

Greeings Tonic,

1) the dash indicator 1-3 is the oil pressure and not the oil level. Thus while you might have enough pressure, you may be losing oil.

2) the yellow dash light warns about the oil level, not that it is time to change your oil.

In light of these two items, you might just want to top off the oil in your sump if your last oil change wasn't too many miles ago. If you do decide to change your oil, 10/30 is a good all around viscosity unless you live in a subfreezing climate. In which case God help you 'cause shoveling snow is a b***h. And be sure that the first number is lower i.e., 5/30 or even 0/30.

Regarding your sump capacity, most MBs are rather large, about 8-9 quarts! If you drain it from the bottom into one of those disposable boxes, be sure to use two, otherwise you'll have an Exxon Valdez on your driveway. A quick call to your local MB dealer will provide the definitive answer. And as always, never fill your sum in one shot. Put in say, the first six quarts and then check your dipstick and add the rest accordingly.

By the way, if your oil light is going on, you are losing/burning oil. You might want to deal with that issue first.

Happy trails!

Just to add a little ...
 

Mahalo said "Put in say, the first six quarts and then check your dipstick and add the rest accordingly. "

I would also start the engine first after putting in the 6qts, and then check the dipstick and top it up accordingly (of course, the engine would then be switched off).

All the best!
:)

Your engine should take about 8 quarts, the info is in your owner's manual also though. Be sure and change the filter also when you change the oil.
Also, since you have an 86 300E, M103 motor, I would consider using a higher weight oil (2nd number) , like 15w 40 , or 10w 40 , or 20W 50 , depending on your climate. I say this because higher weight oil burns less. And your motor probably consumes oil.

oil drain
 

I too will be trying to change the oil on my 300e (87) with 170k miles in it. The questions I had were, do you have to take out anything to get to the oil filter? it looks kind of tight back there behind the head. Also, where exactly is the drain plug? is it beneath that gigantic plastic shield, or is it one of those two bolts I saw exposed? I couldn't tell without lifting it up if that was the oil pan or the tranny. I was planning on putting synthetic in just because I have 5 quarts lying around, but if I have to go buy more, should I just buy some 20-50 or 10-40 dino to protect leaks? thanks.

followup
 

A followup on that, I decided to get the extra quart or two of synthetic. Put it in the engine with no problem, after letting the car cool down to about 70c. (too low?) Then changed everything out and replaced the filter. no leaks yet, but maybe someone could tell me how long it takes for leaks to appear?

don't eat raw meat!