PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - New to working on cars - any advice welcome, lots of question

vstech · #3 07-31-2013, 09:54 AM

oil, needs to be diesel rated.
MOST oil on the shelf is ONLY for gasoline engines, be sure you get oil that clearly states diesel.
DELO, Mobil, ROTELLA etc are great choices, there are others. I don't recommend synthetic on the older diesels, as they tend to use a lot of oil, and the soot load is too much for extended drain. keep in mind you will need almost 2 gallons of oil to change.
filters are fairly easy to come by, pep boys, and advance stock them.
most parts are on the shelf at most mcparts stores, and of course ANYTHING you need for the car can be ordered right here on this site, just click the mercedes name at the top of the page, and select your car!

I would not drive the car with broken motor mounts. and yes, brand matters.
get Genuine MB, or lemforder...
nothing else is worth your money.

as for changing it hot, it's no problem, the filter change is where most cars spill oil on you, and the MB filter is on top, so no spillage!
just loosen the drain plug, (you don't even need to lift the car!) and let it drain into the pan, and take off the two oil filter lid bolts, and lift the lid a bit to let it drain.

in addition to an oil change, you should order a valve cover gasket, and adjust your valve clearance. bent wrenches make the job very easy, lots of threads on here about it.
the best manual for the car is the MERCEDES factory shop manual. (FSM) it's no longer in print, but it's often found on ebay. you want the engine shop manual, there are manuals for nearly every part of the car.
you will HATE the chiltons manual, it sucks. the haynes is fairly well put together, but many specs are inaccurate.