My 300SD appears to be missing a hose under the air cleaner. I don't know the exact name of the part. It's the hose that connects the small spout out the bottom of the air cleaner to the metal tube that goes back under the engine. There is oil dripping out that spout when the engine is on. Does anybody know the name of this part?

Also, the metal tube through which the oil drains back under the engine--I can wiggle it around a little bit (I tried to attatch it directly to the spout coming out the bottom of the air cleaner, before I thought a hose might go between). Is this normal, or should it be fairly tight? Where is the other end of this tube, and how do I tighten it if it needs it?


------------------
Dean
Santa Barbara, CA
1974 280C
1984 300SD

Dean,
I am pretty sure that your engine and mine are almost clones, so it is with a certain amount of confidence that I can say that the hose you are looking for is actually a metal tube, that slips into the lower metal tube that is still attached to your engine. Btw, my lower part of the tube has play in it too, and I think that I would need E.T.'s fingers to get to that silly little nut that is between the bracket and the engine.
As far as the name goes, I think its just called an oil drain tube.
Have fun!
-Larry

------------------
03/83 300D 184k
07/73 280 160k

Dean,

It is very important that you repair this as soon as possible. This is causing an open crankcase letting in all sorts of dirt and contaminants into the crankcase. Additionally it is probably allowing unfiltered air in the intake of the engine.

These are both very detrimental to your engines health. See to this problem very, very soon.

Good luck,

------------------
Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Should I change the oil after I fix it?


------------------
Dean
Santa Barbara, CA
1974 280C
1984 300SD

Dean,

Sure wouldn't hurt. Make sure you change the filter as well.

I guess, since you're new to the forum (BTW welcome aboard), you have yet to hear my oil change lecture. Since you opened yourself up for it, here goes. It helps alot to drain your oil when the engine is piping hot, and let it drain as long as possible. Especially after your engine has been exposed to the atmosphere, draining hot and for a long time will get the real crud. The last drops that come out contain the REAL dirt.

I'm an admitted oil change maniac, but I change my oil hot and on Friday night so it can drain overnight. If I didn't normally do that, I believe I would in this case because the crankcase has been open to contamination.

Good luck,
Change oil hot and change oil often.

------------------
Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I have to admit I've never changed oil myself. I live in an apartment and don't really have a place to. But you've convinced me that I should be changing it myself.

Every time I go to Jiffy Lube or Oilstop or one of those places, I wish I'd changed it myself anyway. They always put too much oil in there, lose the nut that holds the top on the air filter, etc. Then they give me a funny look when I tell them the 280C takes 6 quarts. It seems to me that 6 quarts is on the small end of oil capacities as far as Benzes go. Oilchanger forgot to put tranny fluid back in my brother's transmission one time. At least they paid for the rebuilt one. OK, enough of me ripping on those places. I should probably pay the extra couple bucks and go to an independent Mercedes shop. Can anyone recommend one in the Santa Barbara area?

Is it illegal to change oil in the street? (Assuming you properly dispose of the used oil.)

I've got the Chilton's. Is there enough information in there to change the oil, or are there any other tricks I should know?
Do I just drain the fluid (overnight of course), change the filter, and put oil back in?

Any recommendations on oil for the 300SD in Santa Barbara? 50 degrees F is a cold night here. The temperature might drop a hair below freezing on one or two nights in the winter. 20/50 works great in the 280C. Is 20/50 too thick for the 300SD?

Thanks for all your help Larry and Larry, and everybody else! This is a great forum.

Your 300SD would like the 20w50 oil.

-Larry

------------------
03/83 300D 184k
07/73 280 160k

Dean,

It is Topsider time. Seach this forum for the word "topsider" to find out more about it. Topsider will let you change motor oil without clawing under the car. You may like it.

David