2.3-16 oil change interval

[Robby Ackerman]

I recently acquired a 1985 190 E 2.3-16 Euro model. What is the MB recommended oil change interval? I have four MB 2.3-16 manuals: the service manual for the 102 engine, chassis and body for the 201, the supplement and the DIS Dignostic and the German owners manual and can't find this basic information. Is it one of those situations that if I have to ask I shouldn't have a 16V?

[yhliem]

Hi Robby,

Congratualtions on your purchase. I guarantee you'll enjoy driving it. Although it is neither the fastest nor the quickest accelerating car these days I love driving mine simply because it's alot of fun.

As far as oil change intervals go, you should change the oil more frequently in the 16V. Running at high RPMs (and therefore high heat) it is crucial that you keep up a regular and frequent maintenance schedule. The engine is s strong and flexible engine and can certainly handle some pretty hard driving, but you should change the oil at roughly every 3000 miles (4800 km).

There is an issue of European Car magazine which features the 2.3-16. It was part of a 5 issue feature story on best buys. It also outlines the timing chain tensioner issue. If your car has over 90000 miles you should get the tensioner and guides upgraded (if you've not already done so).


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Cheers!

Yen-Hsen Liem
'93 500E black pearl/black leather; 89,000km
'93 500E bornit(blackberry)/black leather; 69,000km; european delivery
'88 560SL desert taupe/dark brown leather; 89,000km
'87 190E 2.3-16 black pearl/black leather; 55,000mi
'70 280SL white/red; 135,000mi (original)

[This message has been edited by yhliem (edited 08-06-2000).]

[Robby Ackerman]

Yen-Hsen Liem

Thanks for your reply. I do enjoy driving the car. And yes the timing chain and tensioner have been upgraded. I'll see if I can find the series in European Car. I'd enjoy reading it. BTW my father lives near Halifax. He is a former 300 SL and 190 SL owner. I've made it to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC and YT this year but not to the Maritimes.

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Robby Ackerman
Past President
Virginia Section MBCA

[msyoder]

Have you considered looking in the owner's manual?

[yhliem]

Robby,

Excellent I live in BC and my parents and I are all memebers of the MBCA. Next w/e we're heading down to the Seattle Section's Show & Shine at Marymoor Park.

We've never had anything as exotic as a 300SL, but I think my dad might still be hoping.



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Cheers!

Yen-Hsen Liem
'93 500E black pearl/black leather; 89,000km
'93 500E bornit(blackberry)/black leather; 69,000km; european delivery
'88 560SL desert taupe/dark brown leather; 89,000km
'87 190E 2.3-16 black pearl/black leather; 55,000mi
'70 280SL white/red; 135,000mi (original)

Besides the MILEAGE factor for oil changes, isn't there a TIME factor also? I doubt that I'll put 3,000 miles on my car over the course of a year, but change the oil every 3-months (500 miles). What are the opinions out there on the TIME factor?

Brian
*1986 2.3-16V
*Pearl Black AMG rims, yellow calipers
*Pearl Black grille and frame
*Euro headlights, clear blinkers
*Smoked taillights
*Zebrano wood kit
*White-faced gauges
*H&R springs/Bilstein shocks (yet to be installed)

[Robby Ackerman]

Mike - whatsaownersmanual? Ha, if it is in my owners manual I can't find it. I'll let you look through it when you are here! Your German is probably better than mine.

Brian - time is not a problem for me. So far I'm average about 800 miles / week with the 2.3-16. Miles of smiles!

[msyoder]

The first section, Service and Maintenance, on 17 page of the owners manual for my 300TD has a paragraph specifying the engine oil and filter change interval. Perhapes with a german english dictionary you can tease out the relevent info from your manual.

[Robby Ackerman]

Mike Thanks. page 15 found it now. With Susan's help it looks like it reads every 10,000 km under normal driving conditions and 5,000 km under difficult driving conditions like dusty roads and hot track driving.

Well, I've gotten to a point now, where there will people who will be disappointed if I don't jump in with my oil change lecture.

Whatever the manual says for oil change interval, cut it in half and change the filter every time. Oil changing is the cheapest engine insurance money can buy. Regardless of the brand of oil you use, changing it is the ONLY way you have to clean the inside of the engine.

Even more importantly, you have one of the many MB engines which require particular attention be paid to the timing chain system. Frequent oil and filter changes prevent the microscopic particulate matter from eating the chains and associated important parts.

Be fanatic about oil changes and timing chain maintenance and attention, and you will enjoy your new hot rod for a long time.

Good luck,
Change oil hot and change oil often,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

[Robby Ackerman]

Larry, Thanks for your stern words of advice. I go right out and change it!

Robby

Candidate MBCA
Regional Director
Mid-Atlantic Region

'60 190 SL 500,000 km
'83 300 D 329,000 mi
'85 2.3-16 131,000 mi
'83 604 SRD (Oops Peugeot) 600,000+ mi