How come when I do a complete oil and filter change on my 1984 300TD, and re-fill it with a new filter. It only takes about 7 to 7 1/2 quarts to fill it.... The total capacity is supposed to be 8.5 quarts, but if I put that much in, the oil will be way over the fill mark on the dip stick. Note this is true after driving the car for several miles...not just filing in the driveway and measuring.
Do I have a quart of sludge in the oil pan taking up capacity, or does the engine/pan somehow retain a quart after draining (I cant believe this)?? Is anyone able to put in the full 8.5 quarts when changing oil??

Thanks,

Mark

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)

Your engine has an oil cooler that holds about a quart.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

oil cooler?

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

Oil gets trapped all over the place, like inside the oil cooler and oil cooler lines, in one corner of the pan if the car isn't perfectly level, in the turbo cooler lines, etc. Its considered quite normal for these cars to only require about 7.5 quarts to fill after a reasonable drain time.

Remember that there is a huge capacity for a reason, its OK to run a little low, and that is actually quite preferable to running a little high. I usually drain for a while, pull the filter, replace the filter, then fill with 7 quarts. Then I drive around for a bit, then top up a bit with part of another quart, usually around half, or a little less.

peace,
sam

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"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

hehe....I'm slow....Hi Mark...Looks like we have a warm spell approaching....Trouble for me is I'll be away until prolly next Wed...Are you going to be around?

as for oil changing.....If the oil fill cap is off, the front of the car is raised or on ramps and oil filter housing is empty (no top no filter) willl the oil cooler drain?

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

I forgot about the oil cooler....

Hi Rob....I'll be doing Christmas shopping on Saturday, and away on Chrismas. Since its going to be warm, I might do a couple of minor things on the car (adjust emerg. brakes, and such).

Happy Holidays,

Mark

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)