C280 - Oil Overfill

[sgyorffy]

Could kick myself - checked the level on a slight hill and of course I overfilled it a little - it is at the top of the red plastic piece on the dipstick. I would guess about 3/4 quart too much. My question is can I allow this to go for a few thousand miles until the next change or should I take it out.

Also, if I need to drain a little should i use the drain plug on the bottom or just siphon out of the crank case directly?

thanks

[190dee]

I wouldn't start the engine with too much oil in it. If you can get your hands on a topsider, use it.

[blackmercedes]

Overfilling the crankcase causes the main crankshaft bearings to become partly submerged in oil. As the crank rotates, it causes the oil to cavitate (fancy word for a kind of bubbling). Well, anyone who owns a boat knows that cavitation of a liquid wrecks things FAST. Good way to wreck a prop.

Your main seals will be shot in no time. You're looking at $1000, maybe more to do both. My dealer overfilled my crankcase on the C230, and I didn't check the oil for a few tankfuls. Both of my main seals were shot, and the dealer acknowledged their error (unusual in MB land) and replaced both seals with no charge to me.

Drain some off, or use a LiquiVac/Topsider. Don't drive the car this way.

[ML320Truck]

I have a topsider. You can also find one of those small plastic hand siphon pump at K-mart/Walmart. It should work perfectlly in your situation.