Alright....it has been a while since I have been on here, but I have been having a problem with my 280SEL. I am expecting the worst, and thinking it may be a blown gasket, or an "O"-ring, but I am hoping that there might be another solution. If anyone has any other ideas, it would be much appreciated. If not, how hard is it to take apart a 2770cc straight six and rebuild. It isn't like ripping apart my little Dodge 2.2 engine. Thanks in advance....Derrick

Derrick,

It's pretty common for those old straight sixes to burn oil, especially the 250s. The engine in my 1970 280SE was completely rebuilt about two years ago but does still use maybe one quart between oil changes (3,000 miles). I don't think there is really a way to stop them from doing this, it's just the nature of the beast. So remember to carry extra oil with you and just check it every time you fuel up. I don't know what effect synthetic would have, but I'm not about to create leaks by switching!

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Regards,
Aaron

So what is "burning oil"?

I haven't a clue to your problem because you have given no details. I can tell you that most oil consumption is due to rings or V/G oil seals.

The 130 motors had a sneaky other way of getting oil inside the combustion process. The ball studs for valve adjustment screw into the head. On either the exhaust or the intake when you remove the ball stud you are wide open into the exhaust or intake runner. (Seems like it was exhaust)

If the rocker stand isn't tight or even if it is it can leak straight into the runner and either burn in the cyl (intake) or exhaust.

Just a thought that doesn't cost a lot.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

A high milage FI pump [ worn plungers ]will also increase oil consumption
as the pump is crankcase oil fed.

{The earlier 230/250 FI IL-6 had their own oil res., so does not apply .}

But in all reality, these engines are made to use oil and the manual actually calls for .15 ltr/100km as normal. That is a bit compared to todays engines.

Hey guys...thanks for the advice, I will check on all of the suggestions that you made. For those of you that would like some more info on my problem, I am burning about a quart of oil every 500-600 miles. The engine runs really well, and there is not the typical continuous plume of blue smoke behind my car, but when I step on it, there is a small cloud of smoke (not even as big as the typical diesel engine makes). Also, there is another problem that I am going to post that may or may not be linked. At high speeds (50 and up) the car will backfire and miss a little. The timing is set perfectly as well as the dwell angle. I will post more on that on another thread though. Thanks again.
Derrick