Greetings all, I spent about what seemed like 2 hours reading though threads on oil, etc this morning, hoever only got a few of my questions answered. 1st un-answered question....how many quarts of oil does my 81 300SD hold? Secondly, I have a friend that swears by the Mobile 1 that he uses in his 80 300SD, but after reading this morning it sounds like more are liking the AMSOIL. I needed to get this done today so I went with the Mobile this time, however not sure what would have been the best weight to use. I'm in Dallas and it is fixin to get hot, or it will be between now and the next oil change. It was recommended a higher visc. to me by someone, so I got 15W50. Any feedback would be GREAT!

Thanks, Chris

I use it, M1 15-50, and change it every 5,000 miles in my 87 300D.

The benefit of synthetic oil is extended oil changes, otherwise standard dino oils, non-synthetic, such as Delvac, Rotella, change every 3,000 miles.

I use Mobil 1 15W50 year round in this naturally-occuring sauna that we call Louisiana, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I change it every six months, as the 300D is only driven about 6 or 7 thousand miles per year. I used to lose (use?) about 1/2 quart per month when using dino oil. I last changed the oil in December, and I've lost less than 1/2 quart in the last 5 months! As for OM617 oil capacity, I think it's 6 quarts, but it may be a little more. I buy Mobil 1 in 5 quart jugs at WalMart for about $20.

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1982 300D, black w/ palomino leather, 203K
2001 E320, champagne, 105K (Mom's)
1999 Dodge Dakota, squeaky & battered, 142K

You need to get yourself some diesel-specific oil. IMO 50 weight is too thick unless you already have a worn out engine that's losing compression. Typical diesel owners prefer 15w40 weight, which would work perfect in texas. Mobil 1 only makes on diesel specific oil, and that's very recently been introduced. Your friend using m1 probably doesn't understand that some oils have additives packages designed specifically to work with diesel engines. Mobil 1 truck and suv 5w40 is basically relabeled Delvac 1 5w40, which is a top notch diesel specific synthetic. The amsoil 15w40 Heavy Duty Diesel and marine is also a great oil. If you dont want to fork over the extra money for synthetic, go for chevron delo, mobil devlac 1300 , or Rotella T.

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2004 Ram 2500 Cummins HO
2000 Jetta TDI
1999 E300 (sold)

Been too long since I looked up the exact figure (measures in litres) but the 81 SD uses just slightly less than 8 qts of oil.
I use the Mobil One Truck & SUV 40-10, but do not run it for any longer than 7500 miles. Too much soot on this model engine to run safely any longer than that. Best place to get it now is at Wally World. They sell a 5 qt bottle for $19.97.

No one ever mentions this brand of oil :

Lubrication Engineers, Inc. abbreviated LE
Monolec Ultra Engine Oil

It is NOT a synthetic. It is the highest grade of base stock available. The oil is red in color. It exceedes API Service CH-4, CF-2, CF/SJ, Mack EP-M+

It is an extended drain engine oil used exclusively by the earth moving equipment endustry. It goes into million dollar machines. I am switching to the 15W40.

The Mercedes dealer in Raleigh, NC uses the LE monolec in differentials. They started using Mobil One in the new cars and had to rebuild several engines according to the service manager. the customers were not happy getting a reubild at 60,000 miles.

The LE can go 10,000 miles or more. The local rep just retired at 83 years old. He has worked for this company his whole life. He told me a cross country trucker switched form Rotella which from east to west coast consumed 9 gallons per trip and when switched to the LE Monolec, he dropped his consumption of oil to 3 gallons per trip.

I will let you know how it works in my car. I am getting some blowby now. I am real interested in seeing if this stuff is as good as everyone says.

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1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

Thanks all for the input. I will consider all of the info when I do the next change in about 2 months or so. Like I said previously went with the M1 15/50 this go around, and at the price I dont think I will be draining it to change it out now....This forum is great especially for me who has only had his Diesel Benz for about a month...

Thanks again!

Chris

81 300SD, 256000mi
84 Eldorado 99500mi

This goes against everything that has ever been discussed, researched, or proven about synthetic engine oil in general and M1 in specific. I will continue to use M1 synthetic engine oil in my car to quantifiable, measurable benefit and leave the theory and conjecture to people who have nothing better to do with their time.
M1 didn't cause the rebuilds. That's implausible, furthermore impossible. If the new cars were broken in with the proper oil then switched to synthetic then it has to be something else that caused the rebuilds. To think it was caused by Mobil 1 synthetic engine oil, a pretty solid and proven product, is absurd at best. Perhaps the break-in oil was left in a little too long, or the service dept. there is just plain inept.
The LE products are very good I'm sure, but also quite a bit more expensive and no doubt complete overkill. Some say Amsoil is overkill, others say even M1 is overdoing it, that Delo400 is way good enough. I like to sit somewhere in the middle with my preference. I have never responded to an oil thread before so this is my one time.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

I run Delvac 1/Mobil 1 Truck and SUV (same thing) in my TDI, but run a good dino in my benz. Don't get me wrong, I'm a firm believer in fully synthetic, however,
1. I don't use my benz in the winter
2. I can't realize the advantage of extended drain intervals on the benz due to heavy soot loading.

That being said, I don't see the summer temps in Wisconsin that you do in Dallas, so maybe it is worth it

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'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)

Isnt Penziol a good diesel oil.. (i hope so, thats what i used) My grandfather works for them and well... its a brand i know and trust, anything bad about penzoil?

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Kenni
'85 300D turbo
208K miles
FOR SALE (kinda)

Been reading through my Hayes, and it says our cars take 7.5 liters of oil.

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Kenni
'85 300D turbo
208K miles
FOR SALE (kinda)

Well since we have another oil thread under way, I may as well chime in with this question I've been pondering:

Does switching to synthetic oil in a Benz diesel that has always used conventional oil cause new oil leaks?

I know this has been claimed when the switch is made on other cars, because allegedly the synthetic is so slippery that it easily slips between gaskets and fittings to cause new leaks. Is this a problem on Benz diesels, too?

(I'm currently a happy user of Delo 15/40 but pondering the switch to Mobil 1).

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'81 300TD turbo <<sold 12/05 to another diesel nut

Staying out of the line of fire with the oil debate, I'll reply to the quanty portion of the question. Your car has the 617 engine in it, I thought all 617 turbo engines took 8 quarts. My '83 300TD takes 8, my wifes' 87 TD takes 8.5 and my SL takes 8.5

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

I'm currently running Mobil 1 15W-30 oil in my 300D. It's been about 5,000 miles, and just about time for an oil change. Many here recommend Mobil 1/Delvac1 5W-40 Truck/SUV oil, and I have considered switching to it. I've noticed that quite a few dieselers in the warmer climates use a heavier weight oil, like what my 300D currently uses. Is there something wrong with using a lighter weight oil in a warm climate?
-Joe

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'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.

As far as I know (which, admittedly, is not much), Penzoil does not make a C-rated oil for proper soot dispersal needed for diesel engines.

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Matt
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1995 E300 Diesel (Die Blau Frau)