ok, enough is enough, one quart of oil a week? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 08-22-2002, 02:11 AM

ok, so my 300 has 175K on the clock. But man, that car is burning some OIL! It doesn't leak to much, that I can handle. So what's the solution. Keep in mind I payed about 2K for the car, so It's not like I have $$$$ invested in it. Besides, I have other transportation if needed. I dont even drive it that far. About 11 miles a day, to work and back home again. Why so much oil? Can it really burn that much? Seals are leaking that bad? Come on!

royaiii · #2 08-22-2002, 02:34 AM

I was like you with my 300E. I used to burn an a quart of a oil a week. I went and had an oil change to Chevron 20W50 with a bottle of Mobil1 Tri-Synthetic 10w30 thrown into the mix. I found that oil consumption was reduced to once every three weeks with extremely aggressive driving. I am not the first one to realize this cocktail decreases oil usage. But, I am only prolonging the inevitable of valve seals .

#3 08-24-2002, 11:07 AM

At this mileage, repalcing valve guide seals only is like putting a Band Aid on a cut artery. To do the job correctly, the cylinder head will have to be removed, and a complete valve job performed with replacement of the valve guides. If you do new valve guide seals only, they will probably wear out in 10,000 miles due to the worn valve guides. Plus, if your vehicle is burning that much oil, you are risking sticking the oil control rings in the lower end of your motor, which is a repair you definitely DO NOT want to have to do.

Just my $.02.

Ed

haasman · #4 08-24-2002, 12:42 PM

I have had great luck with using the Valvoline MaxLife oil. My '91 with 186k was close to a quart every 1k. I changed the oil using 10w40 MaxLife and I am now using a quart every 2,500k to 3k.

#5 08-25-2002, 12:12 AM

I wouldn't invest any more $$ into this car, it is like a frog in a frying pan and will probably continue nickel and diming you to the 3rd power in no time. I would sell it or donate it and get yourself a newer benz. That's just my opinion though, I could be wrong...(but I'm not)

johnflight1 · #6 08-25-2002, 01:18 AM

if you have an air compressor and a valve spring compressor you can change the valve stem seals. it cost 12.00 and took me 5 hours. I have an 88 300 e it worked for me 3 yrs and 30,000 mi ago. still good! I use no oil and have 175,000mi . my friend at the benz dealer told me they had trouble with the rubber compound during those years. the replacement seals are much better.... good luck ............john..........................

JimSmith · #7 08-25-2002, 02:32 AM

Mateo,

While Tank is likely right on the mark, I would atleast check a few things before throwing in the towel.

First, if you are burning a quart of oil in under 100 miles, you must be trailing a cloud of blue oil smoke, or even white stuff. Have you noticed this? If not, that oil is probably not going through the combustion chamber and out the exhaust.

If you notice a cloud, but mostly only at idle, you should check the vacuum pump discharge line (I assume your 300D has one) that goes to the intake manifold. This is a translucent white line from the front, driver's side of the engine that crosses over in front of the engine and goes to the intake manifold, or the air cleaner on some models I believe. If this line is black you have ruptured the pump diaphragm. Not a lot to have it replaced, but chances are you should have the unit rebuilt, which will at least double the cost. Good investment though if the diaphragm is ruptured.

I cannot think of any other obvious things to check at the moment, but that is a lot of oil and it should be showing as leakage or smoke, neither of which were noted as part of the problem in your original post.

So, good luck and I hope this helps. Jim