PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Repurcussions of not fixing valve guides or seals??

haasman · #16 09-17-2003, 03:20 PM

rbellamy1

this update regarding oil weight certainly adds to the concept of thinner oils not being such a good idea, IMH opinion.

I used to live in Colorado and I think it is a demanding environment for cars, and then add driving into the mountains. If I lived there I wouldn't use anything other than at least a 10W-40. I just put Mobil 1 15W-50 in the 210k mile 190E and I was absolutely amazed with the results. No oil consumption (maybe tiny) but the engine is smoother and quieter.

My 300E that now has 214k miles was using oil and I was also getting prepared to do "the valve" job. I ignored the small front upper timing cover seeping.

I decided to try one of the "high mileage" oils, specifically Valvoline's MaxLife. Consumption improve from 1,200 miles per quart to about 2,000 miles. I was impressed. Maybe it does condition the valve stem seals.

Additionally, in reading through the postings on this forum, I found that some people had mentioned that some engines seem to loose about a 1/2 quart of oil (measuring from the full mark on the dipstick) and then kind of stop. Others talk about making sure the car is on a truly level surface when checking and wait several minutes for drip down.

So I now only measure the oil level when the engine is cold, in the mornings and has had a chance to fully drip off the engine.

A month or so ago I replaced the upper cover seal, not too bad a job really, and I have not yet added oil in over 3,000 miles.

Hope this helps,

Haasman