I bought my '72 280SE 4.5 a couple of months ago. History: It passed the Va. inspection, but the guy told me I should replace one of the front tires. I took it to a "National Tire and Battery" here in N. Va. and got two new front tires - and also a full checkup with fluid changes.

Shortly thereafter, the Benz started having problems getting out of idle. I posted here about it, and one of the recommendations was to run through a bottle of Techron and to start using 91+ octane gasonline. I did that, and it seemed to solve the idle problem.

New problems though in the last week: (1) The engine has gotten alot louder. I wouldn't describe the sound as "clanking" - doesn't sound like metal hitting metal - but more like a helicopter sound, and (2) the oil pressure gauge is way different than it was. Before the problems started, if she was idling the oil pressure would be about 1/3 of the way up, and if you gave her much gas, oil pressure would go straight up to the top. Now the oil pressure is near zero at idle and only goes about half way up when you push on the pedal.

I called Dan Pool Mercedes here in Northern Va., and the first thing they asked was what weight of oil was in it. I called back to the NTB (the Nat'l Tire Battery) who did the oil change, and they said it was 5w30. When I called Dan Pool back, the guy laughed and said it should be 15w40.

The manual says, "Year-round use multigrade oil, 10-w-40, 10-w-50."

So: The chain place obviously put the wrong oil in. I need to get it replaced. Should I follow the manual or should I go with what the mechanic at Don Pool's told me over the phone? Any recommendations?

Thanks.

If you wanna be real anal about it, use one of the oils approved for 1997 and older models found here under the 229.3 or 229.5 list.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

Otherwise, I'd use a conventional 10W40 or 10W50 oil that meets the API SJ and/or SL specs. Remember, no matter what you choose, it's much better than what was available in 1972.

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Im a big fan of Castrol GTX 20w50. I've been using it on all the Mercs that i've owned since I was 19 (except my 97 E420 which gets Mobile 1).

__________________
With best regards

Al

Ironic, I put in Castrol 20w50 (conventional) in my 4.5 and felt let down. I prefer that high-horsepower Quakerstate synth blend 10w40 in the 4.5. Seems to be quieter and have better economy - 'course, it could just be in my head.

I think it goes without saying, I wouldn't put 5w30 in my 4.5 even in the dead of winter. 10w30 at the very thinnest!

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

Here's something interesting regarding modern oils in vintage engines.

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

The MBZ restoration shop near me uses 15w-40 fleetgrade

I run 20W50 year-round in 'Miss Daisy', my '60 Fintail, but then I rarely drive her when it's at or below freezing. Otherwise I wouldn't run thinner than 10W40 in one of these vintage cars.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I use Castrol Gtx 20W-50 in my 4.5's summer and switch to 10W-50 winter, I have been running these weights in my cars for over 30 years with no problems.

when i had one...it got 20w-50.

i also had to have the timing chain replaced... it had clanking at start-up....

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Use an all-fleet oil such as Delo 15w40 or Rotella 15w40. These oils have the highest amounts of the anti-wear additives needed to prevent valve train wear in the older MBs. Newer engines are built with roller cam followers and other friction reducing parts that older engines do not have. Try to avoid passenger car oils rated SM that have the API starburst seal on them. These oils are designed for gas engines of much newer design with low friction internal parts. These oils have greatly reduced amounts of the anti-wear additive ZDDP, which is needed for older engines but can in some situations cause contamination of newer catalytic converters. The all-fleet, or diesel rated oils, rated CI-4 or CJ have the best additive packs. Another good alternative is Mobil 1 15w50, but not the EP variety. The standard M1 15w50 is formulated for older engines and has the extra anti-wear additives they need.

My 2 cents...

230/8

I use 20W50 Penzoil in my old ones. I was told the 20W50 is the best weight for them.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I'd use Rotella T "Synthetic" 5W40.

I found this web site this evening, lists the mercedes oils by modern, 97 - 2002 and pre 97. the pre 97 recomendation lists MB oils and the list is under the european models
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

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61 Austin mini
67 Lotus 7
74 450sl
76 Cadillac 8.2l (501 ci)

some new cars

megasquirt conversion on:
djet 74 450sl http://www.mercdjetmegasquirt.britautorepair.com/
cis 76 450sl http://www.merccismegasquirt.britautorepair.com/

the best view is always from the point of no return

Update:

I went with the Castrol GTX 20w50 that alabbasi first recommended. Runs perfect now. Helicopter sounds dissapeared and the oil guage looks normal. Thanks everyone for the input.

Happy motoring.

I'm looking at the manual now, and it suggests 10w40 (what I use and suggest) for temps between what I assume are 0F (maybe cooler) and above. 20w50 isn't suggested unless it's warmer than what I'd assume to be 55F constantly - which means it's fine for summer. But I do like to warm my 4.5 up at least (if not drive it) during those cooler months too!

The ONLY temps a 5w oil is suggested is up to 0°F!

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k