PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Mobil One Vs. Amsoil

Ashman · #11 03-18-2002, 02:00 AM

My mech pointed out the small leak of the head gasket when I bought the car, and yes I believe MB did have a flaw with the gasket, but updated it later on. Now remember the previous owner of my car most likely did not maintain it well, so it could have been the culprit.

Take a look at Don swinford's car, he has 178k on the odo, and engine has never been opened. HE religiously changes his oiil and fluids. Look at Larry bible and his oil changes. He has gotten great mileage out of his cars before having to open them up to do some repairs.

My brother's 85 380SL has been maintained horribly by him as far as I am concerned, and the car still drives great and has needed next to nothing. He had a new timing chain rolled in, and some ilifter work done and the car keeps going strong with no major engine work ebing done.

My motto is if it hasn't caused any problems its ok. Should I go and change it if I don't see any noticable worsening of it or loss of oil? I would do it if oil was getting in my coolant or vice versa or if I was losing that much oil, but I haven't lost one drop during my 3k oil changes.

But my car has not used any oil between oil changes, so the leak must have sealed itself, because I have measured my oil loss, and I haven't noticed any loss more than a few drops.

The only time I lost some oil was when I spilled some...

Every car I have ever seen always had some kind of leak from somewhere, thats just the nature of a mechanical part that needs lubrication.

My jeep had a valve cover leak for years, still does, but car still never used more than a few drops of oil between changes.

When I talk about maitenance, I talk about just changing the fluid for new fluid and fixing things as they break. Thats maintenance. Anyone who thinks oil can last for more than 10k miles needs to have their head examined. and those who never change oil, need to wake up and smell the coffee. I change my oil every 3k and filter regardless of driving habits, cleanlinesss of oil, or any other reasons.

I don't consider changing the head gasket if its a minor leak maintenance. because when it does become time, I'll do timing chain, valves, and all that is needed as long as its open. but until that time, An onnoticable loss of oil is no biggie to me.

Should I change my wiring harness knowing it may very well go out at some point due to a flaw in materials used or should I tough it out until it happens? Either way it will cost me the same money to repair it right?

If I wait to do the head gasket, and it goes on me, will it cost any less to repair then? I doubt it, unless I try to drive the car with no oil and coolant... That would then cause the extra damage.

Look at people who eat breath and sleep health, some die you some die old. Now look at someone who eats anything and everything. again, some die old some die young. Even with proper maintenance you can't predict the life of anything. Let alone an engine.

If My head gasket goes out after 100k miles, or the timing chain, I still consider it a useful lifesapen. 100,000 miles. thats a long distance. If you were to calculate how many engine revolutions it takes to reach 100,000 miles, you'd probably be surprised at that number too.

I'm merely pointing out that the reason most choose synthetic is because it is suppsed to extend the change interval, but regardless of synthetic, dino, or other oils, I wold always change at 3k, so for me there is no need to use synthetic oil. pull my oil filler cap and you will see, its pretty darn clean in there. Would I suggest anyone use any brand over another, nope. Use what you feel comfortable with, just keep changing the oil on a regular basis, and try to not rack up a huge amount of miles before doing so.

Alon