Does a M103 have a "double sump" pan?
 

Update - DUH, I overfilled it apparently. Guess I will have to drain about 1.7 quarts out.

No response on my other thread... anyway changed my oil tonight (1988 300SEL). It was slightly above the "min" line (which is good considering it had about 4000 on that oil change). I was only able to drain out about 5 quarts however. It took about 8 quarts to get it to the "max" line. Does a M103 supposed to hold 8 quarts of oil?

I am wondering why this is... my dad asked me if it was a double sump pan, but I dont know. He said I may have overfilled it. I dont know what to do, as I have to drive the car early in the AM. All I know is its almost up on MAX now. I didnt have the keys, so I didnt start it yet. I guess the filter will account for some of the fluid? Not sure though since it sets open side down anyway. Now I am also reading its not good practice to fill to the "max" line and it should be in between. I didnt know this.... this has never been told to me on my other MBs I have previously owned. :(

Any info appreciated.

Do you have an owner's manual for the car? Oil capacity should be listed in the back with the specifications. I think you may have overfilled it. On my '89 300CE with the M103, 6 litres brings it to the 'max'. My manual states that 6 L or just under 6 quarts is needed to fill the crankcase when the oil and filter are changed.

My M103 takes only about 6-6.3 quarts to fill during a change.....if you put 8 in there then it is way overfilled.

hmmm.... I wonder why its only showing just below "max" on the dipstick after I poured in two 4 quart jugs of Chevron Delo? :confused:

That is indeed strange....

I wonder if its the wrong dipstick? It has a red handle thats circular.

Well, its 12:12am here... I guess I will go out in the damp foggy air and try to drain a couple of quarts.... at least its not cold. :(

Well, I guess I did overfill. :dunce2: I checked it and its above the max line now. Apparently it takes a long time for it to drain down. I could have sworn that someone told me this car hold 7.5 to 8 quarts of oil. Had I known that, I would not have bought 8 quarts of this oil. ;)

Oh well, maybe I can get the oil in some sort of clean pan so I can reuse it elsewhere.

Thanks.

Just get some small containers and keep it in the trunk as emergency oil. Its always a wise decision to keep 1-2 quarts of engine oil, tranny fluid + water just in case.

"Double-sump pan" is not a common term nor a common occurrence.

Some "55" AMG engines have two motor oil drain plugs and you have to drain from both, but that's about it for Mercedes.