560sel oil useage - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

luvmysd · #1 12-22-2003, 02:57 PM

I was wondering if anyone knows what is "acceptable" oil useage. I have a 86 560sel that uses somewhere between 3/4 to 1 quart of oil for every 1000 miles and was wondering if that is unreasonable for a 560 with 118k miles. I know I have a small leak but I dont know if that is the whole problem yet.
Thanks

David

Duke2.6 · #2 12-22-2003, 03:05 PM

That's not unreasonable for the mileage you have.
Most of the consummed oil is probably slipping past the valve guide seals. If you get tired of adding oil, you can have them replaced.

Duke

luvmysd · #3 12-22-2003, 03:14 PM

I have had a friend follow me once to see if it smoked and he said after waiting at a train when I took off it did blow out a little puff. Anyways thanks for the reply I feel better now.

David

jcantor · #4 12-23-2003, 09:07 AM

David,

I'd agree with Duke that your usage is not too bad given the circumstances. The puff of blue on startup is indictive of valve stem seals in my experience. They are a realatively easy job so long as you have access to an air compressor. The parts are CHEAP (although you will want to replace the valve cover gaskets as well).

I did mine last year when rolling a new timing chain and replacing the upper chain guides so it was really almost an afterthought. (Given your mileage, the chain guides are something you should probably consider if you haven't had them replaced already.) The new seals cut blue smoke to zero and oil consumption is low enough that I no longer add oil between oil changes (every 4K).

jlc

psfred · #5 12-23-2003, 11:39 AM

Valve guide seals definitely, and check the oil filler gasket. A leak here only shows up at speed, engine usually doesn't drip much in the drive. Can cause oil usage of upward of a quart in 1000 miles all by itself. Add bad seals and leaking valve cover gaskets, and you are up to a quart in 500.

Peter

luvmysd · #6 12-23-2003, 12:50 PM

I was thinkin about doing the seals when I do the timing chain but I have never done seals on a over head cam motor, i have done plenty of regular valve seals though. Is there any special tools for the springs all I have is the old kind that mounts on the rocker stud. Also I am worried about the chain and guides, it does tick very lightly so light you almost have to put your head next to the valve cover to hear it and it has no startup noise at all. I know it needs changed and I plan to do so but I cant do it for about a month or so, do you think it will be alright or should I stop driving it untill then I probably put about a thousand miles a month on it.
Thanks

David

jcantor · #7 12-23-2003, 01:32 PM

David,

Ah, yes I forgot about the spring compresion tool that you need. I rented one from another member whose name escapes me at the moment (you might find him by doing a search for spring compresser tool or the like - I know he's in TX). You can probably also rent it from a good tool rental agency or even buy one if you have the $$. With the correct tool, its a rather easy process...I do have some hints I can share when you get closer to the project and I have some more time.

If you want a really good description of the entire process, I believe Mike Tangas posted a lengthy thread under the title of 560SEL accomplishments or something similar. It was Mike's thread that I used as a guide - along with some additional email back and forth from him directly - when I did the entire project.

If you can't find the information in the archives here, let me know and I can dig thorough my files for the necessary information.

jlc

luvmysd · #8 12-23-2003, 02:16 PM

Ok I'll do some searching to see what I can find.
Thanks a bunch

David

rickjordan · #9 12-23-2003, 08:23 PM

What weight oil are you using? You may simply need to go up with the viscosity.