Oil Change - '97 C280 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tankowner · #1 08-06-2009, 10:05 PM

Hi All,

I have jumped over from the diesel forum to ask a question. A guy who lives across the street from me wandered into my yard today and asked me if I work on Mercedes (it was a dead give away as of them is up on the ramps right now). Anyway he wanted to know if I would be willing to do some oil changes for him. According to him the dealership is quoting $120 for an oil change and an independent shop is quoting $80. So my questions is, what is the oil change procedure on this model? I looked to me like the filter was located on the top of the engine on the rear driver's area of the engine.

Is there a special tool required to get the filter housing cap off?

What type of oil are people using in these engines?

Is there anything out of the ordinary that I need to be aware of when helping this guy out?

Thanks!

mpolli · #2 08-07-2009, 03:07 AM

If the indy is using synthetic then that is a pretty good price since it uses about 7 or 8 quarts I think.

tankowner · #3 08-07-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpolli

If the indy is using synthetic then that is a pretty good price since it uses about 7 or 8 quarts I think.

Whether or not this guy wants to use synthetic is ultimately up to him, I am not going to suggest one over another and he will be responsible for buying his own oil. For now I am just interested in knowing if there is anything out of the ordinary when it comes to this model.

So, is there a special wrench needed to access the filter, etc.?

Does anyone know the exact oil cpacity of this engine?

And, if you own one - what type of oil are you using.

I don't own one of these and I am just trying to help a guy out. Let me know if you have any info. Thanks.

jlomon · #4 08-07-2009, 04:05 PM

That vehichle has the same engine as my '94 C280 - the M104 inline 6 cylinder. There is a special tool for removal of the oil filter housing cap. It is a standard size and will fit other MBs (I use the same tool on my wife's M112 V6 engined W210). The oil capacity is 6.5 litres. IIRC the original factory spec called for 7 litres to take the oil level to the top fill mark on the dipstick. However a subsequent TSB indicates that this is too much oil and was apparently responsible for some leaks on the front seal and changed the spec to 6.5 litres, which on my '94 has the oil level dead in between the top and bottom marks on the dipstick.

As for what kind of oil, this is opening up a can of worms here. As you said, it is the owner's choice to use synth or not. You do not have to use synth, which is required in the 1998 and newer vehicles using the Flexible Service Schedule (FSS). I personally use Mobil 1 5w50 synthetic. My car only gets 5-6000 miles a year on it, with a lot of that being short trips. It also allows me to get away with a single oil change per year instead of having to change the viscosity to better suit the season. I also find that the M104 is a hotter running engine than newer ones like the M112, so I like the fact that I have a wide viscosity range that protects me on frequent cold starts/short trips as well as providing great heat protection when I do get the car hot. I also have a bit of seepage on my head gasket and I found that the 50 weight element has resulted in less seepage. Just my personal observations.

mpolli · #5 08-07-2009, 04:16 PM

Just a general comment: Many people have the dealer do it and they use a vacuum system to suck the oil out. The only significance to the DIY'r is if the drain plug has NEVER been out, then it can be a bear the first time (ask me how I know). And ASSUMING that has a similar cartridge element as mine, it can be a little head scratching the first time you deal with that. BMW's have the same kind so I am used to it now.

tankowner · #6 08-07-2009, 06:28 PM

Thank you guys, I appreciate your help. This guys seemed a little uncertain about what exactly he should be doing and whether or not he was getting ripped off. With the info you have provided I think I can help him make a decision that's right for him. I don't know how many miles he puts on the car or what kind of oil he (or someone else) has been putting in the engine, but now I am better prepared to talk to him next time.

Thanks again!

Ferdman · #7 08-08-2009, 05:21 AM

Oil capacity is listed in the Owner's Manual. MB dealers sell the oil filter housing removal tool which is fairly inexpensive, at least when I bought one 10 years ago. A suction device in the dipstick tube greatly simplifies oil changes.